BOTH sides of the hunting debate in Mid Cheshire have reacted passionately to news the Government will push on with a ban on fox-hunting. Commons leader Peter Hain last week set out a timetable for a free vote on a ban - although it will be deferred for two years. MPs will vote today (Wednesday). The House of Lords has defeated past Bills, but the Government has said it would use the Parliament Act to force it into law this time. The delay is to give the hunting community time to re-home dogs or adapt to drag hunting, in which no animals are killed. Hare-coursing could be banned three months after the Bill is passed. But Delamere-based Jeremy Weston, chairman of the Cheshire Forest Hunt, says the fight isn't over yet. He said: 'Something like 50,000 people have signed an undertaking across the country to continue hunting if it is made illegal and then surrender themselves to the law. Some people are very determined.' Mr Weston said a hunting ban would not stop foxes being killed. 'In some people's minds foxes are an evil verminous pest and if they are not hunted, they will be gassed and shot and shooting more often than not leads to maiming,' he said. 'The fox then dies underground in agony over a long period.' But Greg Metcalfe, of the North West League Against Cruel Sports, said: 'It's been a frustrating wait for everybody concerned about wildlife, but it's very welcome news. 'I don't think the Government can back down on a pre-election commitment to ban hunting.' Mr Metcalfe said the two-year delay was 'regrettable', but added: 'They have got to take into consideration that the hunts will have to adjust, and hopefully adjust to drag hunting.' He said claims that foxes would die an agonising death if shot rather than hunted was 'utter blackmail'. | 
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