AS THE House of Commons prepares to vote once more on the controversial issue of fox hunting, West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett says his position on hunting has not changed at all.
He said: 'I do not hunt and when I farmed in the constituency I did not allow hunting on the farm, that's my right as an individual.
'This is a civil liberties issue as far as I am concerned, so I won't vote against hunting.'
Mr Burnett questioned whether a ban on hunting would lead to a ban on fishing, shooting and other country pursuits.
'Fox numbers have to be kept down, the Burns Report makes it clear on places like Dartmoor and Exmoor, the only way this can be done is by hunting,' he added.
The latest vote will take place on Monday, March 18, with three options open to MPs:
l an outright ban of hunting with dogs
l the middle way option of licensed hunts
l maintenance of the status quo.
MPs and peers will be taking 'indicative votes' on the three options which were contained in a bill which ran out of parliamentary time last year, with the possibility of revised legislation this autumn.
The middle way option to license hunts seems to be winning support and is believed to be favoured by the Prime Minister.
Mr Burnett said in the first instance he would not vote for a ban, but if another vote was taken, he might consider the case for a middle way.
Last year, the Commons voted overwhelmingly in favour of an outright ban, but the Lords voted to maintain the status quo. However, peers could be moving towards voting for the middle way alternative of hunting under licence with a code of conduct administered by a self-funding licensing authority.