Fox hunting vote postponed
Proposed changes would allow foxes to be flushed out by packs of dogs. Currently only two dogs can be used for pest control.
A vote on changes to the fox hunting ban have been shelved after the Scottish National Party (SNP) revealed it would be voting against proposals to relax the law.
MPs were due to vote on what Defra termed 'a small number of technical amendments' to the Hunting Act (2004) today.
In England and Wales, currently only two dogs can be used to flush out foxes for pest control purposes.
The proposed amendments would allow the use of a pack of dogs, bringing the act into line with practices in Scotland. Opponents have said this is tantamount to returning fox hunting 'through the back door'.
Labour MP Maria Eagle called the government's proposals "a shambles" and accused the Prime Minister of "running scared because he knew he was going to lose the vote on fox hunting."
Scottish Parliament is currently making moves to review the effectiveness of its own hunting ban.
SNP Westminster group leader Angus Robertson MP said: "In these circumstances, it is right and proper that we assert the Scottish interest on fox hunting by voting with Labour against the Tories' proposals to relax the ban."
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