"Fox Hunting Ban is a complete farce" Took

11.01.03am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 19th Nov 2004

These dogs will have just 12 weeks until retirement

Commenting on yesterdays government decision to outlaw fox and deer hunting and hare-coursing with dogs from February 2005 local campaigner Chris Took lambasted the farcical decision making process.

The issue, a free vote in the Commons, was forced through by the little known Parliament Act after the House of Lords rejected a last minute amendment to delay the introduction of a ban for 18 months.

"I am not a supporter of fox hunting, having never lived in the countryside I would not pretend to be an expert on the major issues surrounding this debate. However, I do know that introducing a ban in little over 12 weeks with lead to absolute chaos."

Charles Kennedy, Tony Blair and Michael Howard all supported delaying the introduction of a ban yet the measure was passed regardless.

The Countryside Alliance has promised to make the ban a "hot potato" election issue as a general election is widely anticipated for May 2005.