THE Scottish Greens have warned that the Scottish Government’s new hunting bill will only receive their backing if it delivers a “watertight” ban on foxhunting.

Published today for parliament’s consideration, the Hunting with Dogs Bill is intended to protect foxes, hares and other wild animals from being chased and killed by packs of wild dogs by closing loopholes and making the law clearer through the replacement of existing legislation.

However, the bill would allow dogs to be used to search for, stalk or flush certain wild mammals, though only for specified purposes and if the activity in question meets certain requirements, such as preventing serious damage to livestock, timber or crops, preventing the spread of disease, or protecting human health.

The conditions for this would include using no more than two dogs unless a licence has been granted, keeping any dog used under control, and obtaining permission from the person who owns or manages the land in question. The bill would nevertheless ban the activity of "trail hunting".

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The Greens have responded to the bill’s publication by arguing that the Scottish Government’s own independent review suggested its proposed approach would not make a difference.

Scottish Green spokesperson for rural affairs Ariane Burgess said: “Most people think foxhunting is already banned in Scotland, but loopholes in the law mean that hunting continues much as it did. Sadly, in its current form this bill closes one loophole while risks opening another so that this bloodthirsty practice can continue.

“Polls have repeatedly shown that the public back an outright ban, yet the Scottish Government continues to tinker around the edges. That’s why blood sports remain an area excluded from the Bute House Agreement and why this bill will need to deliver a real watertight ban if it is to get the backing of Scottish Green MSPs.”

Environment Minister Màiri McAllan commented: “I want to make clear that chasing and killing a mammal with a dog, for sport or otherwise, has no place in modern Scotland – indeed it has been illegal for twenty years. I am seeking to close loopholes which have allowed that already illegal activity to persist, and my aim is to do that in a way that ensures the greatest possible animal welfare while facilitating legitimate predator control.

“As well as closing existing loopholes, I am seeking to prevent others opening. We have seen from recent events south of the border, that trail hunting is sometimes being used as a cover for illegal hunting. We therefore plan to take pre-emptive action to prevent trail hunting becoming established in Scotland in order to reduce the risk of wild mammals being killed by dogs.

“However, I should like to be clear, that foxes can cause significant harm to livestock, as well as other wildlife such as ground nesting birds – so it is important that farmers and land managers have access to control measures that are efficient and humane. This legislation provides that.

“We carefully considered the views of stakeholders and the public when developing the new legislation which I am confident is both progressive and balanced.”

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Director of the League Against Cruel Sports Scotland Robbie Marsland also said: “The League fully supports the intention behind the new bill and we look forward to seeing it in detail and working with the Scottish Government as it progresses through parliament with full scrutiny.

"After twenty years of flawed legislation it is critical that this bill addresses the need to reduce the pack of hounds to just two, and takes pre-emptive action to prevent trail hunting being established as a new 'sport' in Scotland.  

"We want to see a bill that really bans hunting and doesn't contain new loopholes for hunters to exploit."