Hopes of safeguarding fox hunting through UNESCO treaty “foolish”

Despite words of hope from a hunting organisation that a new international treaty could be a lifeline for the sport, the Countryside Alliance disagree.

The UK recently signed up to the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage which looks to officially protect unique cultural traditions such as cheese rolling, Morris dancing and the Notting Hill Carnival.

Pro-hunting organisation, Hunting Kind, who called the treaty a “significant win” believe it could provide protection for hunting under the same criteria, however other rural organisations feel it could serve as a distraction.

Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance told ST: “Hunting is clearly part of the cultural heritage of the UK, but unfortunately its inclusion on an official inventory would provide no protection from prejudiced legislation.

“Hunting faces real and very present danger from Labour’s commitment to ‘ban trail hunting’ and Ministers have confirmed that they will consult on legislation later this year.

“With such an obvious threat looming there is one challenge facing hunting and that is to show unequivocally that hunts are operating legally and legitimately. Our culture is intangible, but it would be more than foolish to think that a vague international treaty will provide any protection from a vote in Westminster.”