Inside U.K. Tony Blair Takes On By STEVE HILL	フレームで見る  英文をプリントする  脚注をプリントする
論争を呼ぶ狩猟禁止法案 ブレア新政権のもとで、猟犬を使った狩りを禁止する法案が出され、大きな論議を呼んでいる。伝統のスポーツを守りたいという擁護派と動物愛護を打ち出す反対派が、それぞれ一歩もゆずらぬ構えだ。両派の意見と狩猟の現状を見てみよう。

The country's new prime minister has wasted no time making good on a string of pre-election promises, but nothing has excited more public debate than a move to outlaw hunting by hounds.

Michael Foster, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Worcester, in the English Midlands, topped a parliamentary ballot to introduce what is termed a private member's bill under which the hunting of wild mammals ― foxes, hares, stags and mink ― with dogs would be banned.

Such bills usually stand little chance of actually becoming law without government support, particularly when they feature controversial proposals.

But Blair's Labor Party made a commitment in its election manifesto that MPs would have a free vote on fox hunting and, with its massive majority, such a proposal appeared certain to sail through the House of Commons.

However, the strength of opposition and level of public debate have surprised many observers and the government may yet fail to give the bill sufficient time to become law in the current parliament.

Meanwhile the debate continues at a furious pace.

Foster remains committed to his proposals, despite receiving death threats and a snare, sent through the post to his London home.

And the pro-hunting lobby has drawn its battlelines, building on the momentum created by a rally last month in Hyde Park, London, which attracted well over 100,000 people.

The arguments for the centuries-old tradition of hunting, as put forward by the rural minority, include the undisputed fact that foxes are pests that kill lambs, piglets and poultry.

Hunters also claim that hunting is a humane method of control because the kill is swift, and that many of the foxes that die are injured, sick or old, helping to ensure a healthy population.

The pro-hunting lobby emphasizes the fact that up to 14,000 people are employed throughout the United Kingdom by the sport, and perhaps 215,000 people follow hunts on horses.

Many horses are kept for hunting purposes and the value of such animals may fall if hunting is banned. Many horses could be sold for meat, and the future may be equally bleak for the hounds.

In total, there are between 15,000 and 20,000 trained hounds which, according to the hunts, would not be suitable as pets and could be destroyed if the ban becomes law.

The British Field Sports Society also claims that more than £3.8 billion (¥710.6 billion) is generated by hunting, shooting and fishing, producing vast sums in tax and Value Added Tax.

There are currently 300 hunts throughout the country: 198 fox hunts, 73 beagle hunts for hares, 20 mink hunts and four deer hunts in the west.

But the arguments against are equally vociferous and opinion polls consistently show that a majority of British people are against hunting wild animals.

Animal lovers claim that some 100,000 wild animals in Britain are killed by hunts each year, many by terriers or lurchers, a crossbred hunting dog.

An estimated 20,000 foxes perish at the hands of hounds each year, plus around 200 deer, while it is claimed that the hounds themselves suffer. About 10,000 are shot each year for being too old to hunt.

Foster strongly believes that the majority of the British public backs his proposals.

The Forestry Commission, which controls 2ｫ million acres in England, Scotland and Wales, has given substantial backing by enforcing a ban on hunters using its property.

And in April, the National Trust banned deer hunting on its land after a scientific report ― subsequently challenged ― said the practice was "cruel and unnatural."

2Whatever happens in parliament, some hunts will struggle to survive.

The New Forest Buckhounds last month announced it will cease hunting, ending a tradition that has lasted over 1,000 years. Some 44 smaller hunts have been disbanded since 1965.

The League Against Cruel Sports, a 73-year-old pro-animal lobby, argues that hunts could switch from chasing animals to drag hunting ― following an artificial trail.

The number of hunts using such scents has increased from eight to 28 in recent years, but this is not a compromise the hunters will entertain.

Foster's bill is due to receive its second reading in the House of Commons Nov. 28 and then go to the House of Lords, where further strong debate on an issue which has set "townies" against the rural minority will rage for many months to come.

Shukan ST: Aug. 22, 1997

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