10:35am Thursday 28th June 2001
A GRAVESEND-BASED animal welfare group has called on Gravesham MP Chris Pond to carry out his pledge to support a hunting ban.
Before the election, North Kent Animal Welfare (NKAW) helped draw up an alternative manifesto for the Government.
NKAW founder Mark Johnson believes laws should be tightened on the treatment of farm animals and those used in circuses and zoos.
But Mr Johnson has given a luke-warm welcome to the promise to ban hunting with hounds. He said: “During the foot-and-mouth crisis, farmers moaned about local abattoirs closing.
“But many of them have never complained about exporting animals to Greece for slaughter.
“As far as hunting is concerned, I'm afraid after all these years I am sceptical of Government promises.
“But like a lot of people, I am saying now is the time to put into action these pledges and relegate this practice to the history books.
This call came days after Mr Pond announced he had met representatives of the RSPCA to discuss animal welfare, particularly hunting, which will now be the subject of a free vote in the House of Commons.
Mr Pond said: “During the previous parliament I took an active role in the prevention of cruelty to animals and will continue to do so.
“Each year I receive hundreds of letters from local people who are concerned about animal welfare.”
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