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This paper is submitted primarily in response to question 1 contained in the Inquiry's letter of 19th January asking for written evidence on Facts about Hunting with Dogs. It is also to

It is not intended as a response to all the questions identified in the Committee’s letter of 19^th January 2000. Nor is it the purpose of this paper to rebut the various (and frequently inconsistent) points made in attacks on hunting with hounds.

However, it is important to state at the outset that those who follow hunts, whether on horse or on foot, do so because they enjoy hunting. They pay the costs of running the Hunt. Nearly all are living with or managing domestic, farm or wild animals in their day to day lives. They would not countenance cruelty. Contrary to popular belief, followers of hunting with hounds take no pleasure in the death of the fox. Central to an understanding of hunting foxes with hounds are two essential points: first, that control of the fox population is necessary; second, that, where it is practicable, hunting with hounds is the most humane and beneficial means of control.

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Foxhunting as a sport is the Hunting of the fox in its wild and natural state with a pack of hounds. No pack of Hounds, of which the Master or Representative is a Member of the MFHA, shall be allowed to hunt a fox in any way that is inconsistent with this precept (MFHA Rule 5).

1.1 The Masters of Foxhounds Association (the "MFHA") is the governing body of foxhunting, "recognising" Hunts, which must operate under the Association's strict Rules and Instructions (Appendix I).

1.2 There are 184 packs of foxhounds in England, Scotland and Wales recognised by the MFHA. In addition, there are 5 packs of Harriers and 9 of Fellhounds which also hunt the fox, recognised by their own Associations. There are at present 518 serving Masters of Foxhounds. MFHA packs alone meet some 14,720 times per year.

1.3 The MFHA is run by a Committee of 12 members appointed on a regional basis, each serving 3 years, plus a Chairman, professional Secretary and Director. The Secretary runs the administrative office of the Association, with secretarial help, at Bagendon, near Cirencester.

1.4 The MFHA Rules and Recommendations have been revised by the Committee over the years and their alterations and additions adopted by Annual General Meetings 17 times since 1922. The present Constitution, Rules and Recommendations were adopted at the AGM on 1st June 1999. New Disciplinary Procedures were adopted for the season 1998/99 introducing the use of a Disciplinary Committee with the powers to impose sanctions including suspension and expulsion from the MFHA.

1.5 Among the many other functions of the MFHA are:

1. To regulate hunting through its Rules and Code of Conduct (Appendix II). These are designed to ensure that hunting is carried out in accordance with the precept stated above, and as humanely as possible. It enforces adherence to the rules by disciplinary process. The MFHA regularly reviews these matters and is very willing to consider responsible suggestions and contributions from any quarter so as best to achieve these aims.
2. The MFHA administers the National Register of Hunt Terriermen. Again, the purpose of this register is to ensure that all terrier work conducted in association with hunting under MFHA rules is carried on to properly humane standards.
3. Every 3 years the MFHA organises Terrierwork Seminars in each of the 12 MFHA Regions and also General Seminars for Masters, Hunt Chairmen and Hunt Staff, covering the Rules and Administration.
4. Information for Masters and Staff: The MFHA sends regular Notices and Instructions on urgent matters to Masters of Hounds and Hunt Chairmen, and there are three Newsletters per year for less urgent information
5. Animal By-Products: Working closely with Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food ("MAFF") and other organisations over the regulations effecting the collection and disposal of animal carcasses from farms. This service is of national importance because in many areas it is the only viable method of collection of fallen stock. Such few alternative methods of disposal as are available are prohibitively expensive for many farmers. Without this service there is little doubt that there would be an increase in disposal of carcasses by burying which may be illegal and cause pollution.
6. The MFHA operates a system of Kennel Inspections, where every kennel is visited by a member of an experienced team of inspectors at least once every three years to ensure a high standard of kennel management. Steps are taken to remedy any matter of welfare or regulations which are found to be unsatisfactory
7. Rabies: In co-operation with MAFF, the MFHA advises on fox control in the event of an outbreak of rabies.
8. Hunt Servants Registry: A service provided by the MFHA Office, finding jobs for professional Hunt staff.
9. Insurance: The MFHA administers Hunt Schemes for Third Party insurance which is mandatory under MFHA rules, Legal Expenses Insurance, and a Hunt Servants' Personal Accident Scheme.
10. Police: The MFHA liaises closely with the police on saboteur activities and during the hunting season provides weekly reports.
11. Point to Points: The MFHA, with the Jockey Club, administers Point to Point Racing. No horse can be entered for a point to point without a certificate that it has been regularly hunted in the corresponding hunting season, hence the very close links between point to pointing and hunting.
12. Equestrian Cross Country Team Events: Administration of the sport.
13. Other Organisations: The MFHA works closely with many organisations, from the National Farmers Union ("NFU") and Country Landowners Association to the Pony Club and British Horse Society.
14. The MFHA is responsible for the Registration of Hunting Countries and Boundary Disputes.
15. The Foxhound Kennel Stud Book: Entries from Hunts taken every year and the Stud Book produced annually since 1800. (See Appendix IV)

1.6 An Independent Supervisory Authority for Hunting (I.S.A.H. Ltd - "ISAH") has recently been formed, being established to oversee the rules and discipline of hunting. ISAH is an independent body to which almost all organisations which oversee hunting with dogs - including terrier work and coursing - are affiliated. Sir Ronald Waterhouse (a retired High Court Judge) has been appointed as its Chairman. It will consist of a Chairman, and a number of Commissioners. Apart from one ex officio Commissioner (the Chairman of the Hunting Committee of the Countryside Alliance or his nominee from time to time) the rules of ISAH provide that all Commissioners must be totally independent of hunting or any hunt. The Commissioners are to be appointed by an Appointments Panel comprising Sir David Naish (ex-president of the NFU), Mrs Ruth Layton (a representative of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) SC Whitbread Esq (representing the Country Landowners Association) and Gerald Elias QC (an independent member nominated by Sir Ronald Waterhouse). The purpose of ISAH is to act as an independent supervisory body to oversee those engaged in hunting, terrierwork and coursing, and to lay down and ensure adherence to proper standards in all of those activities.

1.7 The Hunt Servants' Benefit Society: This operates from the MFHA office. It is a Registered "Friendly Society" founded in 1872. It provides pension arrangements for those employed directly by hunts. The Society provides for 378 pensioners out of a professionally managed fund. This list is constantly added to. In addition, over 1,300 people support the Hunt staff by being Honorary Members and paying annual subscriptions or life membership fees. There is also the Hunt Servants' Fund, a Registered Charity to assist in cases of hardship or distress.

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2.1 Registered packs of foxhounds ("MFHA packs") hunt over a specified area of land registered with the MFHA (a "hunt country"). Each MFHA pack is based in its own hunt country and is totally financed by those who participate in, and support that pack.

2.2 A pack is likely to consist of:

2.3 As stated above, packs operate within a defined area, their country, which is registered with the MFHA. A Hunt country will vary from 100 to over 400 square miles. A map of Hunt countries is attached as Appendix V. No less than 77% of the surface area of England and Wales is covered by Hunt countries in this way. Some parts of every such country are urban, or otherwise unsuitable for hunting. In practice the average pack actually hunts just over 80% of its allotted country. Thus about 61% of the total surface area of England and Wales is hunted. It is important to appreciate that packs do not hunt on any land without the express permission of landowners and farmers and permission is denied only on approximately 2% of suitable hunting country. On isolated occasions there is accidental incursion by hounds or followers onto land where permission is denied. This is given high priority by the MFHA, and it is to be expected that ISAH too will regard this as a priority.

2.4 Whilst some Hunts have been started in the last 50 years, most Hunts have a history of more than 100 years. Many have been established for over 150 years, and a significant number over 200 years. Since World War II urbanisation and increasingly busy roads especially motorways have caused some Hunts to amalgamate because of a reduction in suitable hunting country, and these amalgamations are likely to continue.

2.5 Each Hunt is run by a Committee, drawn or elected from its farmers, members and subscribers. The Committee is responsible for the general working policy of the Hunt and provides most of the money to finance the Hunt. The Committee appoints the Masters or Joint Masters for each successive season.

2.6 Funding arrangements for packs vary. Typically, the primary sources of funding are subscriptions, donations and social functions. Detailed and up to date figures as to Hunt turnover will be supplied in due course.

Masters

2.7 Except in a few cases, Masters are voluntary and unpaid. A pack will generally have several Masters ("Joint Masters"). They are ultimately responsible for all the activities of their respective packs. Their functions include:

• employing and supervising Hunt staff
• liaising with landowners within the Hunt country
• arranging the programme of hunting days
• directing proceedings on every day's hunting

2.8 They are appointed annually, from 1st May, and their position is governed by contract with the Hunt Committee. Some Masters may only hold office for one year; others remain for many seasons.

2.9 It is a requirement that all Masters be members of the MFHA, to which also the Committee must subscribe a registration fee for the Hunt's recognition. Every Hunt must have their own constitution. Masters are proposed and seconded for the MFHA by existing members. Their applications are carefully scrutinised for integrity and suitability by the MFHA Committee; occasionally they are rejected. If for any reason a Master is subsequently disqualified from the MFHA, his/her Mastership ceases automatically.

The Huntsman

2.10 The huntsman is pivotal to the process of hunting. He controls the hounds during a hunting day, using his voice and horn. In some packs, the huntsman is a full time professional, in which case he will also be in charge of the hounds throughout the year. In other cases he will be unpaid (an "amateur huntsman"), in which case he will usually also be a Master. The huntsman must know each hound by name, will be familiar with each hound's character and ability and will know how each hound copes with different conditions. The hounds are loyal to the huntsman, and look to him for direction, much as an obedient dog will look to its owner.

2.11 Where there is an amateur huntsman, a professional "kennel huntsman" will be employed to look after the hounds in kennels. The kennel huntsman will undertake all the normal duties of a huntsman, except that he will act as whipper-in (assistant) to the amateur huntsman on a hunting day. The Huntsman's/Kennel Huntsman's duties in the kennel will involve:

2.12 The Huntsman's duties in the field will involve:

The Whipper-In (Assistant)

2.13 The whipper-in is the huntsman's assistant, both in the kennels and out hunting. Whenever hounds are out of the kennels, either at exercise or out hunting, the whipper-in will prevent hounds straying from the huntsman and will regularly count them to check that they are "all on". In the hunting field he will have the added duty of watching for foxes and giving the huntsman information.

2.14 A Master (or a responsible person nominated by the Master) will be designated to act as Field Master, whose role is to marshall the mounted followers (who are collectively referred to as the Field) so as to ensure that they:

• do not go onto land where there is no permission
• follow routes that do minimum damage to crops and grazing land
• do not interfere with hounds or the work of the Hunt staff.

Followers, whether mounted or unmounted, are spectators, and have no role to play in the actual process of hunting.

The Kennelman

2.15 The Kennelman works under the supervision of the huntsman in the kennels. He will clean the kennels and look after the hounds remaining at home when the huntsman and whipper-in are out hunting or exercising. He will undertake the bulk of the collection of fallen stock from the farms and the preparation of carcasses before they are fed to the hounds. He will probably have special responsibilities for the breeding bitches and their whelps.

The Terrierman/Fencer

2.16 The Terrierman's main responsibility is for any terrierwork that is necessary during the hunting day. This usually involves the digging out and humane disposal (by shooting) of a fox which has gone to ground. The Terrierman is also responsible for earthstopping before a day's hunting and he would normally undertake his earthstopping duties with the help of a local amateur team, who will be on the Master's Register of Earthstoppers.

2.17 General maintenance of the Hunt country is likely to be a role undertaken by the Hunt terrierman. In that capacity he will build Hunt fences and put in gates and bridges to facilitate the passage of the Hunt staff and mounted followers across the country. He will also be responsible for the cutting and clearing of rides through many woodlands. All these activities are negotiated between the Master and landowners. He will also be responsible for the maintenance of coverts (i.e. woods thickets and scrub). These provide cover, attractive to foxes as a habitat for them and other wildlife. This is an aspect of the subtle (and often misunderstood) relationship between the fox and foxhunts. The aim of foxhunting is not merely control but also includes an element of protection of the overall fox population. One of the purposes of hunting is to achieve a balanced and healthy fox population acceptable to farmers. This aspect is only touched on in this paper but it is important.

Stable Staff

2.18 The stables will be run by a "Stud Groom" or "Head Girl", who will supervise the stable staff and will be responsible to the Master(s). One groom is normally responsible for 3 to 4 horses. The Hunt horses will probably come in from the fields to be permanently stabled in July for September hunting. After the end of the season in mid-March, they will gradually be prepared for an outdoor life before they are returned to the fields for a summer rest by the end of April.

2.19 The stable staff are responsible for:

2.20 In the West Country and Wales there are a small number of unregistered hunts, not recognised by any of the hound associations or The Federation of Welsh Packs. As they are unaccountable to any recognised hunting association they cannot get licenses to hunt on Forestry Commission or Ministry of Defence land; they cannot stop badger setts; they are barred from holding point-to-points; they cannot enter their hounds in the Stud Books, show hounds or receive gifts of hounds from recognised packs. Nor can they avail themselves of the special liability insurance policies negotiated by the hound associations, and the specialist services offered by their secretariats.

B FOXHOUNDS AND KENNELS

3.1 The foxhound has evolved over many centuries, but more particularly has been bred for hunting the fox since the 1700's. The first Foxhound Kennel Stud Book was published in 1800 and has since been continuously maintained (See Appendix IV for an extract). The foxhound has been bred for attributes which are required for hunting foxes by scent: speed, stamina, nose (scenting ability) and voice. The function of hounds giving voice is essentially to communicate to the rest of the pack that they have scented the fox. As an aside, the noise which hounds make when hunting is quite different in sound from that of a dog’s ordinary bark. It is distinctive and emotive, and indisputably one of the key elements in what may be described as the magic of hunting for those who love it. Hunting people speak of "hound music" and this conveys something of its indefinable importance to the experience of hunting. The foxhound is bred to go as fast as its scenting abilities allow. About 3000 are bred each year and entered in the Foxhound Kennel Stud Book.

3.2 Breeding hounds is a skill for which some Masters over the generations have had and have a natural flair. It is a tribute to them that the hounds of today can deal with conditions (including roads, extensive plough, artificial fertilisers, pesticides and vehicle fumes) that their antecedents might have considered impossible. Masters will select their best hunting bitches to breed from - probably after their second season's hunting when they have proven their ability. They will then find the best stallion hound to cover the bitches - frequently from another hunt. The basic aim is to breed a "level" pack of hounds - level both mentally and physically.

3.3 Bitches are generally put to early in the New Year to whelp in the spring. A pack that hunts two days a week might "enter" (put on) some 7 or 8 couple of hounds at the beginning of each autumn’s hunting season. To achieve this it would be reasonable to put to a dog 4 of 5 bitches - some will miss, some will have large litters and some small, but 6 or 7 puppies are quite enough for one bitch to nurture. There will be some mortality, particularly at birth, before the hounds starts hunting at 18 months. Packs hunting 4 days a week will breed from twice as many bitches. There are a few small packs who rely on "draft" (gift) hounds from the larger packs.

3.4 The puppies are weaned from their dams at about 8-9 weeks, and then go out to be looked after ("walked") at the homes of hunt supporters as part of their education. Puppy walkers, as they are called, have a deep love for the hounds to whom they provide a temporary home. The hounds in turn remember and recognise their puppy walkers throughout their lives. Puppies remain at the homes of walkers for around 6 months depending on the patience and facilities of the walkers. However, it is the hounds’ instinctive tendency as they mature to roam in search of quarry that generally necessitates a return to the kennels. This is the prime reason that hounds of any age are not suitable for domestication.

3.5 The foxhound hunts almost entirely by scent. It will hunt by sight for only short distances and usually will not see the fox until the very end of a hunt, and not at all on those occasions - the majority - when the fox gets away Scent is variable and unpredictable. There will be good, moderate or bad scenting days, and upon that the tempo of the hunt depends.

3.6 The foxhound hunts by instinct. It will enter into hunting in the early autumn in the year after birth, aged about 18 months. Having been taught obedience during the preceding months, it will learn all its hunting skill from the other, more experienced hounds.

3.7 When a hound is unable to carry on hunting through age or occasionally through injury, it will be put down humanely. Although a friendly animal, a foxhound that has been hunting all its life is not easily domesticable, being unsuited to life as a domestic dog. Keeping a retired hound at the kennels would be impracticable, and would be unfair on the hound who would become bored and frustrated and would yearn to go hunting. All dog owners have to make a difficult decision when their dog's quality of life has declined. In almost all cases the kindest decision is to put the dog down.

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4.1 Hunting is dependant on the well-being and fitness of the hounds, which will not be attained without good kennel management and high standards of welfare and hygiene. These prerequisites require a well laid out kennel establishment.

4.2 A typical kennel establishment might consist of:

4.3 Premises undergo an internal inspection by a MFHA team on a regular cycle as described above. All kennels are also visited and approved by local authorities and other agencies to ensure compliance with stringent health regulations as to emissions of smell and smoke and the health and welfare of those on site and living adjacent to the kennels. In addition, MAFF vets, regularly and un-announced, inspect the flesh house and the facilities for waste disposal.

C. HUNTING ACTIVITY

5.1 The contractual year (so far as Masters and Hunt Staff are concerned) runs from 1st May when new Masters take office, and Hunt Staff commence or leave their employment. Autumn hunting starts in mid to late August or early September and continues through to the end of October. The main season then runs to about mid March. A few packs, mainly in sheep farming countries, will continue in the spring.

5.2 Depending upon the size of its country, a Hunt will meet between 2 and 4 days a week. Most Hunts will operate on a Saturday to accommodate weekday workers. There is no hunting on Sundays.

5.3 Hunting only takes place over land with the permission of the landowner. It therefore depends entirely on the goodwill and agreement of individual farmers and landowners. The area to be covered by a day's hunting is carefully planned in advance by the Masters. The farmers will be contacted or notified beforehand, the order of the day decided upon, and the various Hunt staff or officials briefed. Notification of meets often appear in the local press.

5.4 Detailed planning is required before each day's hunting. A Hunt country will include between 100 and 1500 farms, of all farm types and sizes. During the summer months, out of season, the Master will be meeting or maintaining contact with the farming community. Before each hunting day, the farmers whose land is likely to be hunted that day will be notified or personally contacted. Their wishes will be catered for and incorporated into the day's planning. Shooting dates are all obtained in advance, and plans made to avoid the shoots. Sometimes, at a late moment, a farmer or shoot might change plans, and the Hunt has to react accordingly.

5.5 No Hunt can operate without the goodwill or acceptance by its farmers. The majority of farmers welcome and enjoy seeing the hunt, and if they did not they would not give consent. The figures as to the area of England & Wales hunted quoted above are impressive in this context.

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6.1 A hunting day starts with the Meet at around 11:00 a.m. and may last until dusk. The Meet takes place at a private house, pub, crossroads or at a local landmark. On Boxing Day, it will probably be somewhere special, - a town square, a major hotel, or site of historic interest. People on horse, foot or by car will start assembling some 20 minutes beforehand. Horse boxes are encouraged to park in specified places or at least a mile away in order to minimise road congestion.

6.2 The Huntsman will arrive at the meet with his hounds and stand gathered together until they "move off". He and the "Whippers-in" (his assistants) are the only people actively engaged in controlling the hounds.

6.3 The mounted followers are controlled by a Field Master who is responsible for their conduct and discipline. He/she also liaises with farmers, so as to be aware of the most suitable route across the country for the mounted followers. Likewise, there may be a "car field master" or stewards to oversee the car followers.

6.4 After the Meet, the hunt "moves off" and the huntsman and the hounds go to "draw" (search) for a fox in a wood or in rough ground. From experience, the huntsman has knowledge of the preferred habitat of foxes, but there is no certainty that he will find one in any particular location.

6.5 The hounds will fan out, searching for the scent of a fox. When a hound or hounds first detect the scent of a fox, it or they will "speak" (or give voice), signalling the fox's presence to the other hounds. The other hounds will then rush to join in and soon the whole pack will be in pursuit.

6.6 When disturbed, whether by hounds or any other reason, a fox’s instinctive response is to flee. When found by hounds, for a short time it will run fast in order to place distance between itself and the hounds. It will then settle down into a slower pace speeding up from time to time. It may stop to listen, sniff at a hedge, urinate or even occasionally divert to chase a rabbit.

6.7 The fox may run around the wood before breaking cover to head across open country. The fox is out of sight of the hounds and is running in territory which is familiar to it and which it uses itself to hunt for food. The hounds may be many minutes behind the fox and every time the fox turns, goes through a fence or bank, crosses a road or track the hounds may fall further behind.

6.8 Periodically the hounds will "check", i.e. stop because they have lost the fox's scent. Then either by themselves or with the aid of the huntsman, they cast around trying to refind the scent.

6.9 The pace at which the hounds hunt is governed by the strength of the scent. Weather and ground conditions are the main factors that determine the scent on a particular day. Scent is generally stronger in settled weather conditions and when the ground is wet. It is stronger when the air is colder than the ground, for instance with a frost coming on later in the day. Scent is generally weak in stormy weather, or when the air is warmer than the ground.

6.10 On a strong scenting day, hounds will hunt faster, presenting greater challenges to the mounted followers. On a weak scenting day, the hounds will progress more slowly, allowing the followers a greater opportunity to watch and appreciate the work of the hounds. For this reason, quite apart from variety in terrain, weather, and density and characteristics of the fox population, no two hunts are ever the same.

6.11 A hunt can end as soon as it starts (i.e. if fox is caught immediately) or last for up to 1½ hours. The hunt may cover just yards, or perhaps 6 or 7 miles. The fox may run a circular or twisting line, or it may run straight.

6.12 There are four possible outcomes to a hunt:

6.13 When a fox is caught by hounds its death is virtually instantaneous (at most within a few seconds). Hunting's opponents portray the kill as a live fox being torn apart by hounds and disembowelled alive. This is untrue. In reality, apart from the instant death from a bullet, it is the quickest and most humane method of control. It was neatly summed up in the Phelps Report:

"Eventually, the leading hound catches up with the tiring fox, either in a thicket or on ground in the middle of a large field, and he lunges and grabs the fox behind the neck or along the back. With his powerful jaws and greater weight, the hound gives the characteristically canine sharp flick of its head and breaks the neck of the fox. Death is instantaneous but, as the other hounds arrive upon the scene, they too grab and worry the already dead fox. This normal behaviour of these hunting dogs is frequently misconceived as the 'hounds tearing the live fox to pieces'. This is completely erroneous."

Note - The average foxhound weighs 75 lbs whereas the fox is about 18 lbs.

The Followers

6.14 As explained above, ordinarily followers whether mounted or on foot, play no part in the catching of the fox. They are spectators with a love of hunting but no animosity for the fox and (save for rare and unrepresentative elements, as untypical of true hunt supporters as are vandals of true football fans) take no pleasure in the death of the fox.

6.15 Generally, the Hunt officials will be dressed in red coats. The majority of the mounted field will be wearing black or other coats. Whatever the colour, hunting clothes are designed to withstand a day outdoors. Hunting coats are comfortable warm and showerproof. The hunting tie, or stock, is worn to both give the neck support in the event of a fall, and to stop rain trickling down the back of the neck. Top hats have generally been replaced by hunting caps or safety helmets. Hunting boots are worn to protect the leg from kicks, knocks, brambles and barbed wire. Masters nowadays usually do not dictate precise terms of dress although most mounted followers wear traditional clothes for preference. This is their right.

6.16 Depending upon the Hunt's popularity, the number of mounted followers will range from a handful to over 200 and will range from children to the more elderly. Hunting is a public sport. Anyone with access to a horse or pony may hunt if (i) they pay a (usually modest) subscription; (ii) can ride competently. Followers on foot cycle or car frequently outnumber riders and many packs have no mounted followers at all being exclusively foot packs. Some spectators will come to the meet only and not follow. Unmounted followers pay no cap or fee although they may be asked for a voluntary contribution from time to time. Many belong to Hunt Supporters Clubs to which they pay a small subscription. These Clubs organise social and fundraising activities.

6.17 Why do these diverse and disparate groups of people follow hounds? It is impossible to generalise, but there are several elements which can be identified, which will have varying significance to different individuals. These elements will include an air of expectancy or even uncertainty. Common to all will be the fox. Will one be found, if so where, where will it run, where and how will the hunt end? Then there are the hounds - their enthusiasm, ability and versatility, their response to the huntsman's calls and, perhaps most of all, the magic of their "cry" combined with the sound of the huntsman's horn echoing through the countryside.

6.18 For the mounted followers there is their partnership with their horse, the thrill and the challenge of the "unknown" ride across country. Some will prefer to take an easier course using their own local knowledge, but all will enjoy unparalleled access to vast areas of open countryside that hunting affords them.

6.19 The car and foot followers, colloquially known as the supporters, will be "mounted" either by choice or necessity, but they are as valued in the overall hunt as the horse riders. They go for the company, but will position themselves in expectation of viewing the fax, the hounds and the passage of the riders. A feature of the supporters is the number of elderly or retired people. For many of them hunting is their principal leisure activity and, aside for their homes and families, is the most important part of their lives.

6.20 All of these elements are overlaid by the simple but deep pleasure of spending a day outdoors in countryside which those concerned would otherwise have no occasion to visit, in the company of friends, acquaintances and like-minded strangers. Good company and friendship are fundamental and highly valued. There is a common bond across social backgrounds. This combination, so summarily and inadequately described here, becomes, for many of those who follow and watch hounds, their predominant life-long passion.

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7.1 Under MFHA rules, when a fox is run to ground, it may only be dug out at the request of the landowner, farmer, or shooting tenant. If in a natural earth it may not be flushed ("bolted") to be hunted further. In specified circumstances bolting is permitted, for example where digging is impractical. Terrierwork is important from a pest control aspect but is not part of the sport of foxhunting. It is an effective method of targeted control of specific foxes. MFHA Rules 12, 13 and 14 govern digging and bolting.

7.2 Terriermen used by Hunts operate under strict controls. They must be licensed by the MFHA and carry an Identity Card with their photograph on it. In order to maintain their licence, a terrierman may be required under MFHA rules to attend MFHA Regional Terrier Work Seminars. He/she must have an appropriate Firearms Certificate and his/her application must be signed by the Master to say that he/she has read and understands the Rules of the MFHA concerning terrierwork, and also the law, particularly concerning the Protection of Badgers. Any terrierman who breaks the Rules or the law is liable to be struck off the National Register. The use of terriers is the only remaining legal method of controlling foxes below ground. Hunt terriermen only form a minority of those using terriers to assist in the control of foxes.

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8.1 Generally earth stopping takes place the night before or during the early morning over the area the hunt expects to cover that day. Its purpose is to prevent foxes lying underground on the days hunting where they cannot be found. The holes at the entrance to the earths will be blocked by soil, or by inserting paper bags filled with a suitable material, - the latter must be removed after hunting.

8.2 The other reason for stopping is to prevent a fox from entering an earth. One of the purposes of foxhunting is fox control. It cannot achieve this purpose if the fox population is either underground or the fox goes to ground soon after it is found.

8.3 Although most likely earths will be stopped, the fox can and often does seek refuge in an unknown earth or refuge.

8.4 The Badgers Act 1992 provides for the stopping of badger setts by recognised earth stoppers accredited by a Hunt's Master. Strict rules apply and non-compliance leads to hefty fines, imprisonment, or both. (See Appendix II)

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9. ARTIFICIAL EARTHS

9.1 The purpose of an artificial earth is to provide a suitable place for foxes to lie up in, where the natural habitat is not able to provide the necessary environment. They are used as one of the elements of managing a balanced fox population. They might be used where woodlands have very little under growth, or where a young covert has been planted, before it grows thick. Some artificial earths were put in by landowners; others by the hunt with landowners' permission.

9.2 An artificial earth is usually a pipe, about 9" in diameter, open at both ends, with a chamber about 3' square somewhere in the middle, strategically buried in a wood, bank, or other suitable place. Once built, they are then left for foxes to use if they chose to. Foxes can come and go from them freely, just as a bird might use a nesting box.

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10. AUTUMN HUNTING

10.1 Autumn hunting commences in late August or September, when the harvest is completed. In grass or moorland areas, where there is no arable land, it might start slightly earlier. It was traditionally referred to as "cub-hunting" but that is a misleading title, as young foxes are nearly fully grown by the time autumn hunting begins, so are no longer cubs.   They are self sufficient and independent of their vixen, although they may still be living in family groups.

10.2 The purpose of Autumn hunting is three-fold. Firstly to cull a proportion of foxes, secondly to disperse the populations, and thirdly to introduce the young hounds to hunting foxes only.

10.3 The adult fox population is at its highest and most concentrated in the autumn, giving potential for damage caused by foxes. It is the time of year when hunts are often called out by farmers and gamekeepers to control the fox population.

10.4 A hunt might expect to cull one or two foxes from each farm or area during a morning. Of equal value is that during an active morning's hunting, the population will be dispersed reducing the potential for damage by foxes. Dispersal is an extremely important role of foxhunting.

10.5 In the early part of the season, Autumn hunting will start soon after day-break, perhaps at 6.00 a.m., and get progressively later as the season progresses. The reason for the early start is that as the sun comes up and it gets hotter, scent reduces.

E. CONNECTED ACTIVITIES

11.1 A hound's staple diet is usually raw meat from fallen livestock collected from farmers.

11.2 Hunts have traditionally provided the service of the collection and disposal of fallen stock from farms; either free or at a greatly reduced cost to the farmer. This avoids the farmer having to bury dead stock on the farm and running the risk of disease and pollution.

11.3 Of the 196 recognised packs of fox and deer hounds (excluding harriers and beagles), 179 (89%) provide a pick-up and disposal service. This service is carried out by the paid employees of the Hunt. Cobham Resources Consultants reported in 1997 that, the total number of carcasses handled annually by all packs in 1995 was 415,000.

11.4 Inevitably Hunts are left with bones, offal and other wastes, which are not fed to the hounds. The average Hunt kennel might dispose of 100 to 200 tonnes of waste per annum. Larger Hunts might have to cope with 400 tonnes or more; all at the Hunt’s expense.

11.5 These wastes are either collected by renderers or disposed of at the kennels in incinerators. The regulations concerning the handling and disposal of Specified Risk Material (SRM) have made the disposal of these wastes very expensive for Hunts, to be removed at a current cost of around £150 per tonne, or the Hunt is required to buy, install and run its own incinerator.

11.6 When SRM Regulations were extended to sheep it became uneconomic for Hunts to remove the vertebral columns before feeding to hounds (as was required by the SRM Regulations) and some hunts were forced to give up the collection of sheep. Many others still pick up sheep and pay for their disposal as a service to farmers. Some Hunts also destroy and dispose of many uneconomic bull calves (since the ending of the Calf Processing Aid Scheme) for farmers. MAFF have advised farmers to go to Hunt kennels for help with this problem.

11.7 An MFHA case study carried out in 1997 found that the cost of providing the dead stock service varied from £15,000 in the case of a Hunt in Northumberland, £24,000 for a Gloucestershire Hunt, £27,000 for a Buckinghamshire Hunt and £49,000 for a Northamptonshire Hunt.

11.8 1999 MAFF figures state that a total of 264 Hunt kennels (foxhounds, staghounds, harriers and beagles) are registered by MAFF, and 150 of these have their own incinerators.

7th February, 2000

1. Under Section 5 of the Act, stopping will only be permitted by people who are authorised by a Hunt and whose names are kept on a Register by that Hunt. The Hunts must be recognised either by the MFHA, the AMHB or the Central Committee of Fell Packs.

2. It is permissible under the Act to stop for the purpose of hunting foxes with hounds provided that the only action is stopping the entrances of badger setts. The tops and sides of the entrances must not be dug and materials used must not be packed hard into the entrances. The materials permitted are:-

NOTE: Unstopping is not required if the materials in section (a) are used.

3. Definition of Badger Sett

Section 5 of the Act defines a "badger sett" as being "any structure or place which displays signs indicating current use by a badger". This could, of course, include a drain, for instance.

Essentially this means that only active badger setts are protected. However, the badger need not actually be in the sett for the sett to be protected.

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Date uploaded to site 14 March 2000