Burns Inquiry

The Burns Inquiry is a set up on behalf of the British government commission to gather a decision basis for the Parliament of hounded with dogs on foxes and other animals such as rabbits.

Establishment

In December 1999, the then British Home Secretary Jack Straw announced that he would appoint a government commission so that should investigate the forms of hunting with dogs, and including in particular the hounding. With the guidance of the Commission of the British economist Lord Terence Burns was commissioned. Specifically, this should investigate:

  • The different aspects of hunting with dogs and its impact on the rural economy, agriculture, pest control, on the social and cultural rural life, tierschutzrecthliche aspects and the management of wild animals in different regions of England and Wales
  • The impact when hunting with dogs would be prohibited
  • How such a ban could be implemented.

Recipient of the investigation should be the Ministry of Interior.

The Commission mandated a series of scientific investigations, visited several hunts himself. and held a series of hearings. The Commission noted, however, that they would not have to deal with the ethical aspects of this topic.

In addition to Lord Terence Burns also were Dr. Victoria Edwar, Professor Sir John Marsh, Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior and Professor [ [* Michael Winter ( Exeter) | Michael Winter] ]. However, the British League Against Cruel Sports criticized this appointment, because from their perspective, several members had a family background that made her stand close coursing with dogs.

Result

Among the conclusions that were most frequently mentioned by the end of the Commission's work, as a result, the view that hunting with dogs in the form of baiting cabinets wellbeing of prey counted one seriously. However, the Commission made no recommendation as to whether this form of hunting be allowed or whether they should continue to be set. In a later debate in the House of Lords held the head of the commission, Lord Burns, also noted that the committee would not have drawn the conclusion that this form of hunting is cruel. You have no sufficient scientific evidence found to close to such a result. Lord Burns pointed out in the debate suggests that it constitutes a very complex issue.

The result of the Burns Inquiry was welcomed by hunters and by those opposed to the hounding alike.

Aftermath

Following the publication of the results of the Burns Inquiry, the British government presented two houses of parliament a draft decision, which it indemnified the houses to choose between a prohibition of limiting the hunting forms or self-regulation. The House of Commons decided on a ban on hunting. The House of Lords, which is traditionally associated these forms of hunting, for self-regulation. The British government took this result as an opportunity to introduce its own bill, the Hunting Act 2004.

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