Hunting Bill - House of Commons Bills

This Bill contains provisions, applicable to England and Wales, I) to end the hunting of wild animals with dogs, except where it is carried out in accordance with the conditions of an exemption as specified in schedule 1; and II) to ban all hare coursing events. The Bill is identical in substance to the Government Bill brought from the Commons on 10/07/2003 (HL Bill 95, session 2002-03; ISBN 0108404773) which was blocked in the House of Lords, but the Government has said it will use the Parliament Act to force this Bill into law, if necessary. The Bill is due to come into force three months after it receives Royal Assent. Although hare coursing will be banned immediately on commencement, it is thought likely the implementation of the ban on hunting with dogs will be delayed to take account of its implications for hunting-related employment and the dispersal or rehoming of dogs.