A NEW battle over the future of foxhunting has been unleashed by a three-word statement in yesterday's Queen's Speech.

Measures outlined by the monarch included a new bill that will enable Parliament to "reach a conclusion" on the issue of hunting with dogs.

The announcement made no mention of a ban, but was welcomed by Ken James of the New Forest Animal Protection Group.

He said: "The hunting fraternity has got to prove that hunting is necessary and the most humane way of killing foxes and the writing is on the wall because they can't prove it. I believe the new bill will result in a complete ban on hunting with dogs."

But Nick Smith, spokesman for New Forest Hounds, said: "All the previous talk of a ban has gone.

"We'll keep up the pressure, but I don't think Tony Blair wants to turn millions of people into criminals, especially after that huge march through London two months ago. I think there may be some form of licensing system, but no ban."

A spokesman for the Country Alliance's Campaign for Hunting said: "Hunting is gaining supporters and the latest opinion polls make it clear that there's no public majority for a ban."

However, Campaigning To Protect Hunted Animals, which represents the RSPCA and other animal welfare groups, said nothing short of a ban would satisfy anti-hunt organisations. John Rolls, the RSPCA's director of communications, said: "Any compromise that allows some hunting to continue would fail to do the job the public wants to see done."