In 2001, Labour went into the General Election with a manifesto pledge to give Parliament a free vote on the issue of fox hunting.

In 2004 we delivered on that pledge. The ban on hunting with dogs came into force in February 2005, following the eventual passage of the Hunting Act 2004 through Parliament.

The Hunting Act 2004 made the hunting with dogs of all wild mammals an offence, and also completely banned hare coursing. There are a few tightly-drawn exemptions to allow essential activities, such as pest control, to continue subject to strict conditions.

The ban does not stop people from riding with their dogs provided they remain within the law.

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