Ministerial Statement by Alun Michael,
Minister of State for Rural Affairs and Local Environmental Quality on
hunt protestors
Tuesday, 21 September 2004
"Some press reports this morning wrongly state that I have cancelled engagements because of fear of expected protests. I have withdrawn only from some aspects of visits, on strong police advice on the safety implications when my presence is being targeted by a large number of protestors. My concern is not so much for my safety as for that of other individuals involved and the general public. It is also because important events would be hijacked and overshadowed by hunt supporters' attempts to gain publicity for their cause to the disadvantage of the countryside and the rural communities, which the Government is doing so much to help .
"I am not reluctant to meet hunt protestors. I have met them on many occasions during the past three years and I am always prepared to meet those who are exercising their right to campaign and make their point within the law. However, I am fed up with the lie that they have not been listened to. I have listened to them more than to any other single interest group. They are the ones who should answer to the accusation of not listening. The House of Commons has voted overwhelmingly, seven times since 1997, for a complete ban on hunting with dogs. A YouGov poll commissioned by the Mail on Sunday last week showed that 65 per cent of the public wants a complete ban.
"The organiser of yesterday's event - James Weld, a strong hunt supporter and prominent member of the Countryside Alliance - criticised the protestors for disrupting and devaluing that important and valuable rural initiative. He said protestors should make more intelligent decisions and not demonstrate at the expense of others' legitimate activities.
"I remain open to meeting a representative group of protestors for a two way exchange but it is impossible to talk reasonably with dozens of people shouting at once. Frankly, I am not sure what these protestors are trying to achieve. They are being pointlessly disruptive. The decision is one for Parliament."
Further information
For more information please contact the Defra Press Office on 0207 238 6906 / 6751 / 5608.
Page published: 23 September 2004