 In the run up to this year's Boxing Day meets, Agriculture Minister Jim Paice visited Milton Park in Peterborough with Alice Barnard, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance, Huntsman George Adams, and foxhounds from the Fitzwilliam Hunt.
Jim Paice MP, Agriculture Minister, said:
“The current law simply doesn’t work. I personally am in favour of hunting with dogs – and the Coalition Agreement clearly states that we will have a free vote on whether to repeal the Act when there is time in the Parliamentary calendar to do so.”
Alice Barnard, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance, said:
“It is a point of pride for rural communities across Britain that, despite the prejudice and ignorance of some, hunting remains as strong as ever. This Boxing Day we are expecting a quarter of a million people to come out in support of their local hunt.
"Added to this, the visit of the hunting minister to a hunt kennels is a very welcome and strong show of support from this Government. The Countryside Alliance is delighted to be in such a strong position to push for the repeal of the expensive and failed Hunting Act.”
Over quarter of a million people are expected to turn out to over 300 UK hunts taking place this Boxing day. | 
