Sinn Fein reneging on vow to ban fox hunting at earliest opportunity

THE Campaign for the Abolition of Cruel Sports (CACS) has challenged Sinn Fein over a Bill proposing a ban on cruel hunting practices.

The Bill, to be moved by Alliance’s John Blair, would outlaw the hunting with hounds of hares, foxes and stags.

Responding to a circular the CACS sent to MLAS, a Sinn Fein MLA said that, while the party is opposed to animal cruelty, it fears a ban could drive these practices underground.

This position is at odds with an assurance given by Mary Lou Mcdonald. On February 4, 2020, the Sinn Fein president stated in an email: “Sinn Fein is opposed to fox hunting and we will vote in favour of a ban at the next opportunity.”

That pledge was clear and unambiguous. Rowing back on it would undermine Sinn Fein’s credibility.

Aside from that, the excuse for possibly not backing the Bill is unconvincing. One could argue that all other cruel practices, including dog fighting, badger baiting, cock fighting and bear baiting, should also be legalised to allow for regulation of these ‘sports’ and prevent them from thriving underground.

Indeed, any activity proscribed by law can be said to have moved underground by virtue of its illegality, but that is surely no excuse for failing to enact appropriate legislation.

Sinn Fein’s contradictory stance on this issue is all the more baffling given its trenchant opposition to Belfast Zoo, which it wanted closed, it claimed, because of the party’s concern for animal welfare.

Will the party now seek to block action against extremely cruel activities that would make any zoo look harmless by comparison?

We have appealed to Sinn Fein to stand by the pledge made by its president and support the move to end demonstrably cruel practices in Northern Ireland, or at least to allow a free vote on the issue.

JOHN FITZGERALD

Campaign for the Abolition of Cruel Sports

Callan, Co Kilkenny