GOOD NEWS! Businesses and council turn their backs on huntsBusinesses, landowners and councils are finally listening to the evidenceProtect the Wild has some exciting news! A number of businesses - and a council - have listened to calls to from the public and have made the decision not to host hunts.Public opinion matters. When we tell companies, landowners and councils what we think about their support of hunting, we can have a real impact. And by actively choosing to spend our money elsewhere, our actions can have great power. Knepp EstateFirst of all, Knepp - the famous Sussex rewilding project - quietly amended its trail hunting policy a few days after we delved into the estate's historical ties with fox hunting. Run by estate owner Charlie Burrell and his wife Isabella Tree, Knepp’s 3,500-acre rewilding project has been known to regularly host the Crawley and Horsham Hunt's opening meet. Until now, that is. The estate's new trail hunting policy states:
With a family history of allegiance to the Crawley and Horsham, Burrell doesn't recognise any of the hunt's reckless and criminal activities. Indeed, the estate continues to stay loyal to the hunt - as it has for many generations - gushing about its apparent "exemplary leadership". But the end result is the same: the famous rewilding project will no longer host the hunt. Simon Wild of West Sussex Hunt Saboteurs told Protect the Wild:
Of course, Knepp's decision will have been influenced by an outraged public, and by footage of wildlife chases, captured by West Sussex Hunt Saboteurs and others. We should all celebrate this as a massive victory for foxes and other wildlife. Greene KingNext up, the famous pub and brewing company Greene King caused an embarrassment for the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) when it prevented hunters from using one of its venues - just ONE DAY before the event was due to take place. Held at venues all across the country, the BHSA's National Trail Hunting Day was the hunting industry's grand PR stunt - an attempt to influence politicians, journalists, the police and the public. The stunt failed miserably. Lancashire's big day should have been hosted by the Molcombe Harriers at The Moorings pub. Manchester Hunt Saboteurs announced on their Facebook page:
The sabs thanked everyone who contacted Greene King to let it know the truth about trail hunting. Meanwhile, social media comments congratulated the pub chain, with members of the public pledging that they will give the business their custom. Wymondham councilIn early September, Wymondham Town Council made the decision that it will not grant the Dunston Harriers, which hunts hares, permission to parade on Boxing Day this coming Christmas. One councillor stated:
South Norfolk Hunt Saboteurs told Protect the Wild:
As December approaches again, Protect the Wild and our friends at Action Against Foxhunting will be launching our annual Boxing Day campaign, urging other councils to also withdraw support from barbaric hunting. Uffington White Horse ShowFinally, this summer saw a number of country shows hosting hunts in the name of "tradition". But the Uffington White Horse Show listened to public opinion and banned the Old Berks Hunt, which had, apparently been parading at the event for more than 30 years. One hunt supporter expressed her disgust, moaning:
It is unclear how those of us with a moral conscience, standing up for foxes, are setting ourselves up for a fall. West Cornwall Hunt Saboteurs, meanwhile, celebrated the decision, pointing out that the majority of the UK's countryside doesn't support hunting. The sabs said:
Protect the Wild urges other country shows to follow Uffington's example and ban hunts across the country in 2025. For 20 years, hunts have broken the law, torn up wildlife, and acted with impunity. But the tide is turning, police are beginning to take action, and more hunt staff are finding themselves in court. In order to be on the right side of history, country shows need to take a stand against these criminal gangs. Port Eliot EstateOn top of all this, there are rumours that the Port Eliot estate has also withdrawn its support for hunting. On 16 September, Kernow Sabs, Monitors and Animal Rights Team claimed:
Support for the blood business of hunting is falling awayThankfully businesses, landowners and councils are finally listening to the evidence - and to local residents. They've realised that hunting is outdated and needs to be consigned to the past once and for all.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment