Marchers must back right to hunt
30 January 2001
‘Marchers must back right to hunt’
By FWi staff
THE Countryside Alliance has made it clear it only wants people who support the right to hunt with dogs to join its London march on 18 March .
Some demonstrators on the 1998 Countryside Alliance march were there to highlight other rural issues, without necessarily supporting the right to hunt.
But now organisers say those considering joining the “Liberty and Livelihood March” must support the entire alliance agenda – with hunting at its core.
It aims to defend choice, protect country people – particularly those who hunt – from prejudice, and address problems facing rural communities.
Director of communication Nigel Henson told the BBC Radio 4 Farming Today programme: “You cant pick and mix from our own reasons for holding the march.”
He said protesters must “subscribe to the whole lot” otherwise they would be “coming for rather illogical reasons”.
But he insisted people would not be turned away from a march which is seeking to promote liberty and livelihood, as this would be “ludicrous”.
Earlier this month, Environment minister Michael Meacher said he would not take part in the march if its sole purpose was to defend foxhunting.
Mr Meacher, who joined the 1998 march, voted to ban hunting in the Commons.
He said he would attend if the march was about the future of the countryside, but not if it is about foxhunting.