ESSEX: Fox hunters call on Tories to kill ban

FOX hunters are in a defiant mood as they look forward with a glimmer of hope that the ban on hunting will be overturned by Parliament.

Douglas Hill, master of the Essex Farmers and Union Hunt, was in a buoyant mood at the traditional Boxing Day morning meet at the Horse and Groom pub in Galleywood.

Mr Hill said he believed Conservative MPs would repeal the controversial Hunting Act, expressing confidence there would be a change of parties at next year's General Election.

Tory leader David Cameron has already promised his MPs a free vote on a repeal if they gain power.

Mr Hill said: "The ban hasn't made the slightest difference to us, apart from the fact that we cannot actually catch foxes.

"Foxes are now being shot, but we say that this method of control has the potential to endanger human life.

"What it has achieved is a population explosion of foxes in the county and one farmer at Woodham Walter has his chickens wiped out on a regular basis."

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