The Hunting Ground Blog

A leading conservation charity is at loggerheads with its pro-shooting president, Prince Charles, after launching a campaign calling for a nationwide ban on lead shot.

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), which also has the Queen as patron, is calling for a ban on the shot used in game shooting – despite the risk of offending members of the Royal Family who enjoy this traditional country sport.

The move has revived tensions in the countryside, seven years after the foxhunting ban.

Chef Marco Pierre White is among many people convinced it is an attempt to attack game shooting.

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation and the Countryside Alliance have been angered by the move and insist there is no scientific justification for a lead shot ban.

They claim it would harm an industry worth almost £2 billion to the national economy.

Farmers are also concerned the higher price for non-lead shot will drive up the cost of controlling rabbits, foxes, pigeons and rooks on farmland.

A typical pack of 25 cartridges filled with lead shot costs about £7 while a pack with non-toxic shot made of the metal bismuth costs about £34.

Cheaper steel shot is sold for about £5 a pack – but this high-velocity ammunition is not suitable for many older guns because there is a risk the barrels could explode.

The controversial WWT strategy is revealed in papers leaked to The Mail on Sunday.

It has triggered particular anger because the charity is widely supported in the shooting community.

The WWT was established by conservationist Sir Peter Scott in 1946 at the Slimbridge nature reserve in Gloucestershire and now has eight sites in the UK.

Mr Pierre White, a keen shooter, said: ‘People have been shooting with lead for generations, why would you want to change it?

‘If you want to talk about pollution, let’s talk about petrol and industry. The bottom line is that they are trying to ban shooting.

‘This is a decision made by people who have nothing else to do.’

He added: ‘When I think of my childhood in the countryside it was with swallows, skylarks, butterflies, patchworks of fields and ground-nesting game, like grey partridge, but all this has been reduced by modern farming.

‘Pesticides do more damage to nature than lead shot.’

The WWT denies it is anti-shooting but admits it has been concerned for some time about risks to human health from eating wild game shot with lead ammunition.

The charity also wants to reduce the number of birds ­poisoned by lead shot and to prevent tiny lead pellets entering lakes, ponds, rivers and coastal waters – which are important feeding grounds for water and wading birds.

A nine-page document for a WWT council meeting in March flags up possible opposition from Prince Charles and others in the Royal Family.

It states: ‘HRH & others at Buckingham Palace may not be amenable to this – but if handled in the right way (new information, emerging risks, how could anyone have known etc) Prince Charles could be an advocate – unpredictable.’

The charity also describes how it could drum up a national campaign for a ban by enlisting support from organisations such as Mumsnet, the National Childbirth Trust, supermarkets and celebrity chefs.

Martin Spray, WWT chief executive, last night defended the plan and said he would try to convince the Prince and other Royals to support it.

‘Part of our objective is to counter any threats to wetlands and wetland species and we are honour-bound to argue the case for alternatives. I would argue it with the Royals,’ he said.

‘I accept it is not our job to advise on health issues. But we’ve taken lead out of petrol, paint and piping for water and yet there seems to be a denial about lead shot.’

Strict laws are already in place on the use of lead shot in the wild.

In England and Wales it is banned from the foreshore and designated sites of special scientific interest.

It is also illegal to kill ducks and geese with lead shot. But the charity has conducted research on wild ducks on sale in Britain and found that almost half are being illicitly shot with lead.

Mr Spray said: ‘The WWT is clear that lead poisoning as a result of lead shot in the environment is of serious concern both for our treasured wildfowl and potentially for people.’

Buckingham Palace and Clarence House declined to say if the Royals use lead shot or to comment on a lead shot ban. But game shoots are held at the Queen’s private Sandringham estate in Norfolk and at Balmoral in the Scottish Highlands.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has already banned lead shot on its 211 reserves and a spokesman confirmed its council may also decide to campaign for a nationwide ban on lead ammunition.

Rural organisations, however, fear a national campaign against lead shot on human health grounds will start a new food scare and stifle a growing UK market for game birds that is worth millions.

Simon Clarke, spokesman for the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, said: ‘It is a tragedy that an organisation with a remit to protect wildfowl and wetlands has chosen to move into areas beyond its scope. The declared intention of the WWT to deliberately start a health scare around game meat is shocking.’

Tim Bonner, for the Countryside Alliance, said the WWT move was ‘a blatant attack’ on shooting and that it would create a health scare that could affect hundreds of rural jobs.

The Health Protection Agency and the Food Standards Agency are not aware of complaints from anyone who has become ill after eating game shot with lead.

The RSPCA has issued summons on 52 Hunting Act charges relating to the Heythrop Hunt, its Masters and employees as part of a private prosecution. The allegations have not been the subject of police investigation or any charging decision by the Crown Prosecution Service. None of those summonsed, nor anyone else involved with the Heythrop Hunt has been questioned by the police or RSPCA over any of the allegations which all allegedly occurred in the 2011/12 hunting season. The Heythrop Hunt operates in the Prime Minister’s Witney constituency and the kennels are just outside Chipping Norton.

The Countryside Alliance’s view is that “The RSPCA’s decision to bring such a huge prosecution is a blatant political attack on hunting and an abuse of the court system. It is no accident that the RSPCA, which was a major part of the campaign to ban hunting, only brings private prosecutions against hunts in the Prime Minister’s constituency. We believe that these allegations, like 99% of those made about hunts, are groundless and are confident that the prosecution will fail.

“The expenditure of such huge sums of money on a political campaign by a registered charity, especially one which is claiming to be at ‘breaking point’ is highly questionable. The RSPCA’s campaign will also have consequences for the taxpayer who will have to foot a large part of the bill.

“The Hunting Act has failed and that fact will not change however many summonses the RSPCA issues. What cannot be justified, however, is the abuse of the legal system. It should be for the police to investigate alleged crimes and the Crown Prosecution Service to bring cases, not for campaigning organisations to use the courts to make political points.”

The 2012 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials has been cancelled, it was announced this morning.

The statement from the organisers says ‘The recent exceptional rainfall has left the ground at Badminton totally waterlogged and partially flooded. Further rain is due this week leaving no chance of the ground drying out.

‘Very sadly therefore the 2012 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials has been cancelled.’

Refunds will be issued to both sponsors and riders, as well as all the exhibitors, and people with advance tickets. Eventing fans have been expressing disappointment, although the majority of people are praising the organisers for putting horse and rider safety above their own event.

Follow on Facebook for more details: www.facebook.com/pages/Badminton-Horse-Trials/270460513729

Former model and keen polo player Jodie Kidd is calling for the International Olympic Committee to reinstate polo as an Olympic sport.

Speaking at the launch of Mint Polo In The Park 2012 at the Hurlingham Park, west London earlier this week, Jodie said: “Polo is one of the most exciting and competitive sports on the planet.

“With the Olympics coming to London this summer, I am asking to the International Olympic Committee to reinstate polo as an Olympic sport, for the benefit of players and spectators alike.”

Great Britain won gold in the polo tournament at the 1908 London Olympics, but the sport was not part of the 1948 “Austerity Games” in London. Polo’s last appearance as an Olympic sport was in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

Do not miss the chance to see and buy stunning paintings by Daniel Crane, Tom Hoar and Katie Scorgie. The HCMR are shown at their glittering best. Buy military art and support the Household Cavalry’s new charitable foundation.

The Household Cavalry has been busy, and very much in the public eye of late. Many of them have been serving their country in Afghanistan but the mounted regiment also found time to wow the crowds at last year’s royal wedding and will be playing a huge part in HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. These 12 months stand out even in such a distinguished 350 year history.

During the royal wedding last year three artists were given unparalleled access to the preparation and pageantry involved in the HCMR’s ceremonial duties and have produced an awe inspiring body of work.

Daniel Crane is one of the best sporting artists working today and a master of horse painting. His paintings of HCMR reach beyond the spectacle of Horse Guards and share a rare intimacy with the subject. Duties Done (right) is a beautiful example of the private relationship between horse and man, away from the noise and strictures of their regimental duty. Very much like his treatment of sporting subjects Daniel wanted to “Focus not only on the
ceremonial occasion itself but also behind the scenes. The suppressed air of orderly excitement as the officers and troopers assemble and take their places,the Commanding Officer’s inspection before the Royal Wedding, or a warm moment
between a trooper and his mount”

Tom Hoar is a talented young artist who has previously produced a series of paintings of the Buz Khasi in Afghanistan and London architecture, the HCMR neatly connects these two. Tom relished the opportunity “to experience the atmosphere, the reality and the humanity of army life and to explore the real character and spirit beneath this most public of regiments.”

The third featured painter is equestrian artist is Katie Scourgie. Katie worked to capture the energy of Regimental occasions from The Garter Ceremony at Windsor Castle to the Beating Retreat.

With over 40 paintings and sketches being exhibited this exhibition represents a hugely important body of work. Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Dan Hughes believes it will “reincarnate and capture the glorious colours and movements of horse and soldier on canvas once more, for the first time in 150 years, we have reinvigorated a great British tradition of martial art”.

In addition to it’s artistic significance the exhibition, generously sponsored by solicitors Child & Child will launch a new military charity, The Household Cavalry Foundation.

The Foundation will offer support to Household Cavalrymen and their families, both serving and retired as well as the needs of operational casualties. Not forgetting the unbreakable bonds between the Cavalryman and his charger, the charity will also provide support for horse welfare.

This is a wonderful opportunity to feast your eyes, support the troops and do your bit for animal welfare. Never mind Damian Hirst, The Best of British: The Household Cavalry in Action Art Exhibition must be the most important art view this year.

The exhibition can be viewed between 1400h and 1700h 23rd-27th April 2012 at Hyde Park Barracks, Knighsbridge SW7 1SE

Admittance on production of photo I.D. A donation to the Foundation is encouraged.

All works will be for sale, with proceeds to be donated to the Household Cavalry Foundation

Greetings cards are also available

Somerset fashion designer Alice Temperley said her latest show was inspired by the Renaissance movement.

She took centre stage at London Fashion Week on Saturday night in front of a host of celebrities.

Alice, daughter of Kingsbury Eposcopi cider brandy producer Julian, put on the extravagant catwalk display at the Institution of Civil Engineers in Westminster.

She said: “Not only was I inspired by the sumptuous colours and decadent subjects of the religious paintings and tapestries of the time, but also the meaning of the word; creative re-awakening and re-birth. In this fast, transient world a little decadence is like a tonic, a romantic escapism.”

The Temperley show featured Russian-style fur hats made from reclaimed fox fur, and heavily embellished gowns.

She added: “This collection is one of my favourites, it’s very colourful and rich.

“We are in our tenth year, which is very exciting.

“As a woman it’s important to feel comfortable, the dresses may be ornate but you have feel like you’re not wearing anything. Girls have tits and arse and you have to work around that.”

Among the celebrities on the front row were a heavily pregnant Peaches Geldof, singer Pixie Lott, model Jade Parfitt and actress Minnie Driver.

TO BUY THESE AMAZING FOX HATS VISIT WWW.WHERETHEFOXHAT.CO.UK

William Powell Clearance Sale – Friday 10th and Saturday 11th February

William Powell are holding their annual Clearance Sale at their showroom in Banbury next weekend.

With up to 75% off 100’s of discontinued items, how could you afford not to pay them a visit!

Ample Free Parking Outside. Can’t get to the sale? Visit: www.williampowell.com

Senior figures have told the Daily Telegraph that the promised Commons vote on repealing the ban will not be held next year and is unlikely in 2013 either.

And even when a vote is eventually held, senior Conservatives are resigned to the Commons opting to maintain the ban.

Ministers privately accept that there is not a Commons majority in favour of repeal, since almost all Labour MPs, most Liberal Democrats and some Tories want the ban to remain.

The Prime Minister is also said to be unwilling to focus attention on the hunting issue at a time when most voters are more concerned with economic issues.

A poll today suggested just nealy half of people believe a vote to repeal the Hunting Act should not be a top animal welfare priority for the coalition Government.

The lack of progress on the hunting issue is likely to dismay pro-hunting Conservatives backing Boxing Day hunts today, who include at least one Government minister.

Hunting with dogs was outlawed by 2005 in one of the most controversial acts of the last government.

The Coalition has promised MPs a free vote on the ban as soon as parliamentary time is available.

The Commons timetable for early 2012 is light, with few pieces of major legislation before MPs. However, insiders say there are no plans for a vote for the next two years or even longer.

One pro-hunting Cabinet minister close to the Prime Minister told the Daily Telegraph he wanted a vote “as soon as we have a realistic chance of winning it.”

However, he added that there was little hope of such victory during this Parliament.

“We have to be realistic about the chances of winning a vote when you don’t have a Conservative majority and not all Conservative MPs support a repeal of the ban.”

Many traditional Conservative MPs oppose the ban but a group of Tories first elected last year is fighting to keep it.

The “Blue Foxes” group includes several women first elected last year as part of Mr Cameron’s drive to update his party’s image.

A senior Government source said the hunt vote has been “put on the backburner” for the foreseeable future.

The source said: “The Lib Dems are very clear where they stand on the whole thing, so there’s not much point in pushingthe issue. The next Parliamentary session is already full. There is not likely to be a vote before 2014 at the earliest.”

Despite the legal ban, hundreds of local hunts are expected to meet today, the busiest day of the hunting year.

The Countryside Alliance claims that more than a million people will attend over 300 hunts today. Campaigners say enforcing the hunt ban wastes police time, and suggest that many police forces now routinely turn a blind eye to breaches of the law.

Pro-hunting ministers are keen to avoid disappointing pro-hunt campaigners expecting an early vote on repeal.

Jim Paice, a Conservative minister at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has publicly backed today’s hunts.

“The current law simply doesn’t work,” he said. “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.”

A dream clear round over the coloured poles with Parklane Hawk gave William Fox-Pitt his sixth Burghley victory – and put him in the history books as the first rider to attain this achievement. “I can’t believe it,” said William who first won here in 1994. “He was superb. I might have looked cool but deep down this mattered a lot – it is huge and a real honour”.

SHOOT BENCHMARKING SURVEY 2011
Only two thirds of commercial shoots made a profit last year, according to the
2011 Smiths Gore and GunsOnPegs Shoot Benchmarking Survey.