IFAW: Overwhelming public support for hunting ban ridicules opposition’s call for repeal

(London, 17 February 2008) New polling figures released on the third anniversary of the ban on hunting with dogs reveal that the vast majority of people do not want hunting wild animals – foxes, deer and hare – with dogs to be made legal again, and think hunters should obey the law.

The Ipsos MORI polls, released today by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), the League Against Cruel Sports and the RSPCA, show that more than seven out of ten people in Britain (71 %) believe that hunters should not be allowed to break the law. [Note 1]

Furthermore, 73% do not want fox hunting to be made legal again. Eight in ten, 81%, were opposed to bringing back deer hunting, and 82 % were opposed to changing the law to allow hare hunting or coursing. [Note 2]

Sir Robert Worcester, Founder of MORI, said “These latest polls show clearly that the British public still feels strongly about this issue. Public perception remains for many that hunting wild mammals with a pack of dogs is cruel. Before the ban was introduced, public support for a ban in our surveys typically ranged between 2:1 to 3:1 in favour – so this latest figure suggests that this pattern is continuing.”

A MORI poll conducted in January 2002, before the ban was introduced, also revealed that 72% of the public think fox hunting should be illegal – showing that support today is at the same level as 6 years ago.

Robbie Marsland, UK Director of IFAW, said: “This news will come as a bitter blow for the hunt lobby, which is desperate to promote their cruel sport. This shows that the overwhelming majority of the British public has no tolerance for hunters who believe they are above the law.”

John Rolls, RSPCA Director of Animal Welfare Promotion, said: “This shows support for a ban on hunting is not just strong, it is rock solid. The British public strongly supports the ban, they want it to stay, and no amount of distraction has changed that. It’s high time that pro-hunting campaigners gave up the chase and realised the public strongly supports the ban.”

Douglas Batchelor, Chief Executive of the League, said: “Our main concern is with continuing to monitor those hunters who believe they are above the law and think they can ride roughshod over the Hunting Act. It’s only a matter of time before the minority who illegally chase and kill animals for pleasure will be brought to justice.”

The Hunting Act 2004 was passed by parliament in November and came into effect on 18 February 2005. It outlaws the chasing and killing of deer, foxes, hares and mink with dogs.

Ends

Notes to editors:

1 Ipsos MORI conducted a nationally representative survey, comprising 2,110 face-to-face in-home interviews with adults aged 15+ in Great Britain, in 198 sampling points. Fieldwork was conducted from 1 – 7 February 2008. Results are based on all respondents (2,110) unless otherwise stated. Results are weighted to the 15+ GB population profile

2 Ipsos MORI conducted a nationally representative survey, comprising 2,007 face-to-face interviews conducted with adults aged 15+ in Great Britain across 181 sampling points. Fieldwork was conducted from 8 – 14 February 2008. Results are based on all respondents (2,007) unless otherwise stated. Data is weighted to the known profile of Great Britain.

Please note Where results do not sum to 100%, this may be due to multiple responses or computer rounding.

For more information, please contact:
Rosa Argent, IFAW press office, on 0207 587 6715 or 07801 613 530
Louise Robertson, League Against Cruel Sports press office on 01383 873461 or 07980 232287
Henry Macaulay, RSPCA press office, on 0300 123 0304
Sir Bob Worcester, Founder of Mori, on 0207 347 3000