The Government has “fired the starting gun” on its pledge to ban trail-hunting as it confirms that a consultation will be launched early next year – and the community is ready to fight.

Defra minister Angela Eagle reiterated Labour’s manifesto promise of a ban , in parliament on 30 October, and stated that the consultation will be on “how to deliver a full ban” – not whether or not a ban should be imposed. But the hunting community has responded in robust fashion.

Ben Wallace, chair of the joint British Hound Sports Association and Countryside Alliance hunting campaign, said: “Legislating on trail-hunting is completely out of step with the priorities of rural voters and those in towns and cities.

“The last time Labour was in government, Tony Blair wasted 700 hours of parliamentary ti

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