The Veterinary Association for Wildlife Management (VAWM) has updated its report "Hunting, Wildlife Management and the Moral Issue" and is required reading for supporters of hunting with dogs.

The group has 570 supporters who are general veterinary practitioners and are spread across England , Wales, Scotland and Ireland . Many have had years of clinical experience with all common species of domestic and wild animals. Some are, or were, in the pharmaceutical industry, some are academics with a wealth of research experience, five are veterinary professors and six are fellows of the Royal College of Pathologists.The objectives of the Association are to promote the sensible management of British wildlife by methods that are advantageous for the welfare of wild animals and which promote or sustain the health and vigour of their species.

Read "Hunting, Wildlife Management and the Moral Issue" on the VAWM website

Ex-Countryside Alliance Head of Policy Nigel Burke writes in the Daily Express: "My colleague Ann Widdecombe has suggested that animal rights activists should be sent out with video cameras to monitor hunts to make sure that they stay within the terms of the Hunting Act and she paints a picture of them as a benign Neighbourhood Watch for foxes.

"I’m afraid that when she was an anti-hunting MP, valuable to animal rights campaigners, Ann won’t have had the chance to meet activists as they truly are..."

Click her to read the full article

The Ministry of Justice has released new figures on Hunting Act convictions in England and Wales in response to a Parliamentary Question. In 2010 36 people were convicted of Hunting Act offences. None of those was employed by, or connected with, any hunt registered with the Masters of Foxhounds Association. Only one of those convictions relates to a hunt registered with the Council of Hunting Associations, of which the MFHA is a member.

Complete data from the Ministry of Justice from 2005 – 2010 shows that 181 people were convicted of Hunting Act offences. Just three of those people were connected to MFHA packs and three with other with registered CHA hunts. More than 97% of Hunting Act convictions did not involve hunts.

A Countryside Alliance press release on the conviction figures can be viewed here.

The 2011 Masters of Foxhounds Association Annual General Meeting was held at Cheltenham Racecourse on Tuesday 7^th June. Chairman Stephen Lambert, Countryside Alliance Chief Executive Alice Barnard and Simon Hart MP addressed the 300 Masters and Chairmen in attendance.

The Chairman reported on another successful year for the Association despite the difficulties associated with the Hunting Act. He welcomed the new Countryside Alliance Chief Executive Alice Barnard who described her vision for the Alliance and reiterated the commitment of the organisation to the repeal of the Hunting Act. Simon Hart briefed the meeting on the political strategy for repeal and emphasised the strength of support within Parliament and the Government for hunting and the rural community.

The treasurer, Joe Cowan, reported on the association’s healthy financial position and the Director, Alastair Jackson, briefed the meeting on the work of the Hunting Office over the previous year. The AGM was followed by lunch in the magnificent panoramic restaurant in the main grandstand at Cheltenham.

From Ian Farquhar MFH, Vice Chairman MFHA:

A couple of years ago many hunts throughout the UK supported an initiative run by the MFHA to raise funds for Help for Heroes. We presented them with a cheque at the Cheltenham Countryside Race Day and I can assure you, meeting two young soldiers who had lost five limbs between them was a very salutatory and humbling experience.

I am writing to all Hunts, to ask you to really put your backs behind this latest venture by Horses Help Heroes, (in support of Help for Heroes) to drive a replica First World War Horse Drawn Ambulance from Lands End to John o` Groats day and night, a distance of nearly 1000 miles in hopefully around 10 days.  It will be manned in rotation by twelve soldiers, all amputees and the route is outlined on the attached pamphlet.  The money raised by Horses Help Heroes will also be distributed to Combat Stress, the Army Benevolent Fund and BLESMA (British Limbless Ex Service Men's Association).

Read more: Hunts help heroes

Further details including Schedules and Entry Forms and date changes are notified on the Team Chasing website

Stud book foxhounds from registered packs can be shown at a series of hound shows throughout the country during the summer months. Dogs and Bitches are judged separately and there are classes for unentered hounds, entered hounds, and hounds used for breeding. The dates for this summer's shows are:

Ardingly - Thursday  7th June    
Builth Wells - Thursday 28th June    
Harrogate - Wednesday 11th July    
Peterborough - Wednesday 18th July    
Honiton - Thursday 2nd August
Rydal - Thursday 16th August    
Scottish Hound Show - Saturday 18th August