'Hunting ban would ruin our economy'

The New Forest Hounds (NFH) warned that fewer people would keep horses, resulting in loss of trade for businesses that supplied riders with tack and other equipment.

NFH spokesman Graham Ferris also claimed that a ban would harm hotels and stables that catered for people who went hunting in the Forest. He was responding to reports that the government is planning to force through a ban on the bloodsport within weeks.

Anti-hunt MPs say they have been given "very clear assurances" from ministers that a bill to outlaw foxhunting will be put to MPs within the next fortnight.

However, Mr Ferris said any move to ban hunting would be challenged by the Countryside Alliance on legal grounds because it was undemocratic and would involve "unjust" legislation.

He added: "I'm confident we will be hunting for a long time to come."

A new Bill banning hunting with hounds would receive overwhelming support in the Commons, but would run into opposition in the Lords.

However, it is understood that Commons speaker Michael Martin would then invoke the Parliament Act to push through a ban allowing Tony Blair to distance himself from the move.

The League Against Cruel Sports said it had reason to be very confident the ban would be brought in.

The group's spokesman Mike Hobday said: "We are being told by MPs that they have received very clear assurances from ministers that the government is going to announce this coming week that it will introduce a Bill the following week.

"We have been campaigning for 80 years to get hunting banned and we would be absolutely delighted if that comes to pass."

The Countryside Alliance said any ban would be ignored.

Spokesman Darren Hughes said: "Fifty thousand people have signed a petition saying they would be prepared to break the law and face the consequences if a ban was introduced. It was not long ago that 400,000 huntsupporters marched through London. I don't think the government can ignore that number of people."