I've been a bit surprised to see casual references to hunting as an equestrian activity in England. In "Horse" magazine, various riders and articles mention hunting as one of their routines............do they mean drag hunting (in which case, shouldn't they say so?) or are these people simply delinquents? It certainly gives a most unfortunate impression. Anyone know the state of play?
Rita

I believe hunting is alive and well in England. It seems the new-ish laws have not proved particularly enforceable, for whatever reason.

I would hope in the context of a magazine article they are talking about drag hunting, but I imagine only the riders involved know what they really mean!

-really. This seems a remarkable flouting of the law! It underlines what Mike Radford says about all animal "welfare" laws - difficulty of enforcement is a prime problem. Even still - it's not as though hunting is an undercover activity! Could it be, as the animal rights people insist, that there is police complicity?
Rita

I suspect that you are right...when you have one policeman for several spread out villages, as you do in my area I doubt that hunting tops their list of priorities...especially when they can make a few bob with speed camera instead!

Tut...I shouldn't be so cynical...

I also wonder how many foxes get 'accidentally' killed during a drag hunt????

There was a conference about enforcing hunting recently - ACPO Hunting Act Enforcement Conference - see campaign news at http://www.league.org.uk/. This website also has more info about the current hunting situation in the UK.

Depressing reading.

yes, it is depressing - I see that website also covers bullfighting -there is an enormous amount of interest in getting bullfighting banned here - polls always reveal a majority of "antis" (I'm sure everyone knows it is considered as a show (reviewed on the same page as theatre)not fighting or sport in any sense) - but it's a long slow job. Recent legislation to protect animals excepts (oh, those exceptions!) animals used in traditional spectacles, which of course means bulls - and various really hideous local customs. Some of the worst have been suppressed, but these deeply embedded things are so hard to get rid of ............like hunting, it seems. Of course, horses are still involved in many of these grisly events, and in awful conditions..ah well, we just keep trying!
Rita

- whilst on the subject of the various horrible "traditional fiestas" around Spain (not that I think Spain is any worse or better than other places in these respects), I've just been sent details of another forthcoming one, plus the right-wing politicians are trying to get the bulls back on TV. I wondered if there would be any future (or if I'd get done for libel), supplying a list and details of these events to tourist agencies in England (or anywhere else anyone has access)so that travellers could decide if they want to spend their hard-earned holiday money supporting towns where these appalling events take place............ Create a sort of black-list of places, I suppose.........? Any thoughts?
Rita

Hunting is well and truly alive in England, just under different rules and regulations. A hunt can legally follow a fox with hounds and 'flush out', but the actual killing is by marksmen that ride with the hunt, either on horse or in a car. Same applies to Stag Hunts. Some hunts flout it well and truly (and even under the old laws foxes were fed and holes were blocked).

Very little has changed, really!

I see, thanks for the info. This is obviously how these casual references to hunting appear in a mainstream magazine."Hecha la ley, hecha la trampa", a the Sp.proverb has it : "Make a law, make a loophole".
Rita

Bull fighting:
Sign a petition here: http://www.wspa.org.uk/wspaswork/bullfighting/default.aspx

Last year for the first time ever a tv station in Spain ruled to not allow bullfights to be screened before 9pm. This was very exciting as by doing this they are acknowledging that it's not appropriate viewing for young children when had previously always advertised it as good family entertainment. There is some hope....

Might be worth doing the blacklist thing - although could backfire and make people decide to go (!)so would need to be accompanied by good info. Would be interesting to know how much of the audiences in bull fights are made up of tourists vs locals etc.

This is the TV ban that the right-wingers are trying to reverse. Here in Barcelona, the attendance at the one remaining bull-ring is supposed to be largely tourists - who often have to be helped fainting from the scene, apparently - there is a permanent demonstration outside all through the season, too. National Catalan feeling can sometimes be mobilized to act against the bullfights on the grounds that it's an Andalusian spectacle and therefore outside the pale, like flamenco (!)but of course that's no help in other areas.......on we go. As you sqay, there is always the danger that people will actually be attracted to these spectacles if their attention is drawn, however much they regret it later. All very difficult.
Rita

on the how much you regret it. It depends on how you see that too. I never regreted going to Auschwitz even though i really really really knew what i was already going to see. But then that was preaching to the converted. The decision to go and see for yourself what a bullfight or indeed attend a hunt gathering you know what you are going to see so who would go if they had any principles.