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CLA advises landowners on hunting accountability As the ban on hunting with dogs comes into effect, the Country Land & Business Association (CLA) is issuing guidance to members setting out what is permissible.
The Hunting Act 2004 makes it an offence (subject to some exemptions) to hunt a wild mammal using a dog. A landowner who permits illegal hunting to take place on their land will also be committing an offence. Landowners can allow a hunt to enter their land for legal hunting activities, for example drag-hunting or the exercising of hounds, but they cannot knowingly permit a hunt to use their land for illegal hunting."The important issue is for the landowner to be able to make it clear to the police that they only gave permission for legal activities. One way to achieve this is to have a detailed letter from the hunt stating precisely which activities it wishes to carry out. The landowner also needs to send a reciprocal letter back to the hunt permitting lawful activities but emphasising that the hunt is prohibited from carrying out anything that is unlawful under the Hunting Act 2004," said solicitor Christopher Price, Public Law Adviser at the CLA. The maximum penalty for landowners who allow illegal hunting on their property is a fine of up to £5,000 but a conviction under the Hunting Act will not result in the landowner forfeiting any Single Payment entitlement. Mark Hudson, CLA President said, "Our advisers have taken many calls from concerned landowners wishing to support the continuance of the hunts but without falling foul of this ill-conceived legislation. We urge members to seek advice specific to their individual circumstances. Turning a blind eye to illegal hunting activity on your land may not be kindly looked upon by the courts." 15 February 2005 |
Contact Christopher Price
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More articles and documents [News Archive] [18 November 2004] GN14-05 Hunting Act 2004 - Landowner’s Consent and other FAQs [Guidance notes] [30 September 2005] Review of the general licences to kill or take certain species of birds under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 [Consultation response archive] [19 August 2004] |
Christopher Price is the Director Policy and Advice at the CLA. He has overall responsibility for managing all the CLA's national policy and advisory work. He makes sure that the organisation's policy work is focused on what matters most, and that members' queries are dealt with accurately and efficiently. A planning and environmental lawyer by background, he joined the CLA as public law adviser in 2002. He became Chief Legal Advisor in 2007 and took up his current post a year later. Before coming to the CLA Christopher worked in local government for a number of different authorities.
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