Animal Welfare Activists To Stage Rallies Against Foxhunting Law

The new amends on foxhunting in England and Wales faces fire against animal welfare activists with several British celebrities including Ricky Gervais, Morrissey, Sadie Frost and Stella McCartney. The celebrities had called on MPs to keep th foxhunting ban intact.

The Scottish National Party also condemns the proposed amends in the foxhunting law as they vote against an issue not directly involving Scotland. The SNP is to join the Labour Party to rally against Tory MPs considering the amends.

SNP Westminster Leader Angus Robertson said the party is trying to send a clear message to the "arrogant" Government as disputes continue over proposals to hand MPs south of the border a veto over English-only law.

Robertson explained the SNP's decision to vote against the issue:

"We totally oppose fox hunting, and when there are moves in the Scottish Parliament to review whether the existing Scottish ban is strong enough, it is in the Scottish interest to maintain the existing ban in England and Wales for Holyrood to consider," he said.

"We are in a situation where the Tory government are refusing to agree to any amendments to improve the Scotland Bill - which are supported by 58 of Scotland's 59 MPs - and imposing English Votes for English Laws to make Scotland's representation at Westminster second class.

"In these circumstances, it is right and proper on fox hunting by voting with Labour against the Tories' proposals to relax the ban - in the process, reminding an arrogant UK government of just how slender their majority is - just as we will vote against the Tory welfare cuts next week, and appeal to Labour to join us."

Campaigners worry about the proposed changes to the Hunting Act to bring England and Wales into line with Scotland as it intends to make use of dogs to flush out sport.

Fox hunting with dogs is illegal across Britain and only legal in England if only two dogs are used to flush out the target. In Scotland, an unlimited number of dogs could be used.

Celebrities such as Queen Guitarist Brian will rally with others outside Parliament as their "Team Fox" Coalition of animal welfare groups will continue to urge the MPs to keep the ban intact.