Scotland is set to strength its hunting ban, after a review of the current hunting law ban.
Scotland's current ban on Fox hunting came into force in 2002. Through the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act. The Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act, does not ban fox hunting outright. There is not a complete ban on fox hunting in Scotland.
The current fox hunting law in Scotland has loopholes. It is permissible for someone to hunt to ''protect livestock,'' to ''protect nesting birds,'' and/or for ''pest control'' reasons.
What this means is that people can still hunt foxes in Scotland. Throughout the existence of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act, there have been no prosecutions for those who break the law. A review out last year said that fox hunting laws in Scotland hindered prosecutions.
The reform of the existing law in Scotland seeks to change this. Scotland will reform its fox hunting law to close the loophole which allows people to hunt for sport.
Even though it is an encouraging sign that the Scottish government will reform the fox hunting law, it doesn't go far enough.
It doesn't go far enough because there will still not be an outright ban on fox hunting. Which is what is needed in Scotland, and throughout the UK - a complete ban on fox hunting.
Without an outright ban on fox hunting, the fox hunting law will remain open to abuse. If hunters know there are still loopholes in the law, then they will continue to hunt foxes - and other wildlife.
Loopholes in the fox hunting laws in Scotland, England and Wales, is partly the reason why people still choose to hunt. And get away with hunting.
These loopholes are not the only reason, the reluctance of the law to prosecute those who break the fox hunting law is another reason.
There has been video evidence produced by organisations such as The League Against Cruel Sports, which show hunters breaking the law - by hunting foxes. In other words, the law is turning a blind eye deliberately to those hunting foxes (and other mammals.)
This tells us something, it is not enough for animal rights campaigners to campaign to make something illegal, like fox hunting. What we must also do is campaign when the law is not being enforced, such as the hunting laws.
Without the hunting laws being implemented, and people being prosecuted for hunting animals when it is outlawed, the law becomes meaningless. There is no point in having laws which are not enforced. It makes the hunting law symbolic and hollow. Rather than it being a victory for animals and animal rights.
Sources:
http://www.league.org.uk/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-38028267
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2002/6/contents
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-38813905