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League to sell land “to fund hunting campaign”

Anti-fieldsports group announces it is to offload some of its sanctuaries to raise funds to protect the Hunting Act.

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The League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) last week announced that it is to sell off some of the 2,000 acres that it owns or manages in the West Country, to help to fund a £1million campaign to protect the 2004 Hunting Act from repeal.

Last week, 2,000 days after the passage of the Hunting Act, on 11 August, LACS chief executive Douglas Batchelor announced the sale: ?Our investment in this campaign recognises the massive public support and strength of feeling that there must be no return to bloodsports. We will not lie down and allow the views of a small minority to undo years of hard work in bringing about a ban.?

It is believed LACS will sell up to 10% of its land.

This is not thought to include Baronsdown deer sanctuary on Exmoor, which has been at the centre of controversy in recent years as a TB hotspot.

The League says it will retain sporting rights over all the land it sells.

The Countryside Alliance?s Jill Grieve commented: ?This drive for cash appears to show that support for the League is diminishing just as attempts to justify the failed Hunting Act grow increasingly shrill.?