Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Hare Coursing

01 December 2020 · 4 other contributors · 4,160 words

Opened by Gordon Henderson Con Sittingbourne and Sheppey

Responding minister: Rebecca Pow

Crime & Law EnforcementAgriculture & Rural Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Gordon Henderson raised concerns about hare coursing in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about hare coursing impacting native hare populations, biodiversity, and local farmers negatively.
  • Specific asks of government include toughening penalties and seizing dogs used in illegal hare coursing activities.
  • Minister highlighted illegal hare coursing's harmful effects on wildlife and local communities, including property damage and personal safety issues.

Key requests to Government

I ask the Government to toughen penalties imposed on those found guilty of hare coursing crimes and seize dogs used for illegal purposes. Additionally, I urge the Government to make necessary legal changes to address these issues effectively.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Gordon Henderson Con Sittingbourne and Sheppey

I am concerned about the barbaric practice of hare coursing, which is having a detrimental effect on the native hare population, biodiversity, and local farmers. Hare coursing events are often organised illegally, generating thousands of pounds in betting money for organisers while causing significant damage to crops and property. Farmers face vandalism, theft, intimidation, and loss of income due to illegal activities such as driving unlicensed vehicles on their land, drug use, firearms possession, and illegal betting.

Other contributors (4)
  • Danny Kruger Reform East Wiltshire

    Suggests that councils or the police should be able to recompense farmers for costs incurred in defending against illegal hare coursing if courts can reclaim more money from criminals. The MP expressed concern over the police recruitment formula, which favours urban areas over rural ones. He believes more officers are needed in rural constabularies to address issues such as hare coursing.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Questions whether older game laws should be amended to create consistent seizure and forfeiture powers for all poaching offences, including those involving dogs and vehicles, to act as a deterrent.

  • Jonathan Djanogly Con Huntingdon

    Welcomes the debate on hare coursing and highlights that events are being streamed for gambling purposes, making it a national issue. He asked the Minister if they were aware that some farmers resort to legally shooting hares on their land as a way to prevent illegal hare coursing.

  • Mike Wood Con Mid Derbyshire

    I support Gordon Henderson's call to action against hare coursing and emphasise its negative impact on biodiversity, particularly for the native brown hare population listed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.

Government Response

Rebecca Pow

Hare coursing is illegal and a vile activity. The minister highlighted the conservation status of the brown hare and its significance to rural communities. She acknowledged the harmful effects of hare coursing on both wildlife and local people, including property theft, dangerous driving, arson, assaults, and intimidation. The Government supports efforts by the police through the National Police Chiefs' Council's rural and wildlife crime policing strategy, which includes a national initiative called Operation Galileo involving 21 police forces across the UK. This initiative is improving preventative action, intelligence sharing, and enforcement activities. The minister also mentioned ongoing discussions with rural partners to consider further actions against hare coursing, including exploring the possibility of seizing dogs used in illegal activities permanently upon conviction. She committed to providing more police officers in rural areas.

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