Hare today, gone tomorrow? What's Baroness Hayman's cunning plan to save Britain's hares?

Former Norfolk MP questions new protections as Suffolk backs action for hares

Animal welfare campaigners have welcomed a lively House of Lords debate on introducing a closed season for hares, with peers from across the political spectrum pressing for action and Defra Minister Baroness Hayman of Ullock revealing that she has "a cunning plan" to secure long-awaited protections.

Opening the debate, Lord Randall of Uxbridge highlighted the long delay in delivering protections and joked:

"Although the hare can hide in the long grass, it's about time we flush it out."

Responding, Baroness Hayman confirmed that introducing a closed season remains a Government commitment and described England as "among the few European countries which does not have a closed season on shooting hares during their breeding season".

She added: "I am personally determined to find a way to do this, and I will do everything I can in my power to find that legislative slot. I do have a cunning plan, we'll have to see if it comes off."

Wildlife Guardian campaigner Dr Jane Washington-Evans praised Baroness Hayman as an outstanding champion for animals and welcomed interventions from Lord Randall of Uxbridge, Baroness Arminka Helic and Lord John Spellar, all of whom urged progress on protecting one of Britain's most iconic wild mammals.

Baroness Arminka Helic, who has become one of Parliament's leading voices for hares alongside Chloe Dalton, author of Raising Hare, pointed to Scotland's successful legislation and asked:

"Why has it taken 14 years for us not to take that particular step and really protect the hares?"

Meanwhile, Labour's Lord John Spellar, who has repeatedly championed legislation to ban trophy hunting imports, urged the Government to explore every possible parliamentary route to deliver protection for hares and suggested there were mechanisms available beyond the normal Government legislative programme.

Lord Spellar was also a parliamentary colleague and friend of the late Bob Blizzard, the former Labour MP for Waveney, who helped found and support the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting and was a strong supporter of wildlife protection who opposed cruel blood sports in Suffolk.

Dr Jane Washington-Evans said: "I fully welcome the cross-party support for a closed season for hares. Labour's Baroness Hayman of Ullock has shown herself to be an outstanding champion for animals, while Conservatives such as Lord Randall of Uxbridge have long been steadfast advocates for wildlife.

"Baroness Arminka Helic has driven this issue forward repeatedly and become one of Britain's foremost parliamentary champions for hares. I would also like to thank Lord Spellar, who has repeatedly demonstrated his determination to secure better protection for animals, not least through his efforts to ban trophy hunting imports."

"It was particularly fitting to hear Lord Spellar championing stronger protections. John was a parliamentary colleague of my late partner Bob Blizzard for many years and Bob cared deeply about Suffolk's wildlife, including hares. I think he would have been pleased to hear his good friend arguing for action today."

"Bob represented a constituency where hares remain an iconic part of the Suffolk landscape. He would have been delighted to see peers from across the political spectrum pressing for stronger protections and challenging the idea that shooting hares during the breeding season should continue."

"One of Bob's great strengths was his belief that protecting wildlife should never be a party-political issue. Looking at today's debate, I think he would have been encouraged to see Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Crossbench peers united in support of greater protection for hares."

Dr Washington-Evans added: "Most people who see a hare boxing in spring or racing across a field regard them with affection and wonder. They are often astonished to learn that Britain still permits hares to be shot during the breeding season, leaving dependent leverets to starve."

"We are equally shocked that there are still those who choose to kill these beautiful animals for sport or recreation. Hares have inspired folklore, poetry and art for centuries and deserve respect and protection, not a shotgun."

"Baroness Arminka Helic and Chloe Dalton's wonderful work through Raising Hare has helped people rediscover their affection for this remarkable species. It is time our laws caught up with public sentiment."

After hearing the Minister reveal that she has "a cunning plan", Dr Washington-Evans said campaigners were hopeful progress was finally in sight.

Not everyone in the debate appeared equally enthusiastic about strengthening protections. Former Norfolk MP Lord Bellingham questioned whether nineteenth-century legislation was sufficient and focused on existing law rather than the need for new safeguards.

Campaigners contrasted this approach with the determination shown by Baroness Hayman, Lord Randall, Baroness Arminka Helic and Lord Spellar to secure modern protections for hares.

Dr Washington-Evans said: "It was disappointing to hear Lord Bellingham looking backwards to Victorian legislation while others were focused on how to protect hares in the twenty-first century."

"Many animal welfare campaigners will remember Lord Bellingham's opposition to the Hunting Trophies Bill, when supporters believe he played a role in frustrating progress and preventing Baroness Fookes from taking the leading role she deserved in steering Henry Smith's landmark legislation through the House of Lords."

"The debate highlighted a clear choice between those looking for solutions and those looking to block, delay and prevent laws for animals."

She added: "What struck me most was the determination shown by Baroness Hayman, Lord Randall of Uxbridge, Baroness Arminka Helic and Lord John Spellar, all of whom were asking how quickly we can protect hares. Lord Bellingham seemed more interested in explaining why we should not."

Suffolk crackdown welcome, but will the guns just move to Norfolk?

Campaigners welcomed East Suffolk Council's efforts to protect hares and praised the fact that the move raises awareness of the plight of hares, but warned that local initiatives alone cannot solve a national problem.

Dr Washington-Evans said: "East Suffolk Council deserves credit for supporting a closed season and promoting hare-friendly habitats. Councillor Noble is right: people are horrified to discover pregnant hares can still be shot and leverets left to starve."

"But hares do not recognise county boundaries and neither do those who profit from killing them. Commercial hare shoots are already taking place in Norfolk. There is a real danger that action in Suffolk simply drives more of this activity across the border rather than bringing it to an end. That is why Baroness Hayman's determination and her 'cunning plan' are so important."

She welcomed the council's focus on illegal hare coursing but expressed disappointment that hunting with dogs had been overlooked.

"Illegal hare coursing is rightly condemned, but shooting hares and hunting them with packs of dogs are every bit as cruel. Hares do not distinguish between being torn apart by dogs or shot with guns."

Dr Washington-Evans added: "Suffolk has witnessed some of the most shocking scenes imaginable. Investigators and activists have exposed commercial hare shoots where hundreds of hares have been slaughtered by what amounted to trophy-hunting tourists paying for a grotesque day out."

"I will never forget the sickening sight of piles of bloodied bodies being thrown onto trailers. Nor will I forget the terrible cries of wounded hares, which sounded like a crying baby. Most people would be utterly horrified if they saw what I have heard and seen."

"These beautiful animals have inspired folklore, poetry and art for centuries. There was a poignant coincidence that Bob's funeral took place on Saint Melangell's Day, the feast day of the patron saint of hares."

"Hares deserve respect and protection, not to be reduced to heaps of bloody corpses."

Dr Washington-Evans concluded: "Britain's hares are among our most beloved wild animals. Future generations should marvel at them racing across our countryside, not wonder why we allowed them to be shot when carrying young, feeding leverets, or chased by packs of dogs."

"It was heartening to hear Baroness Hayman speak with such determination, and to see Lord Randall, Baroness Arminka Helic and Lord Spellar all pressing for progress. Hares have waited long enough."

"For those of us in East Anglia, this debate felt especially significant. Suffolk is beginning to recognise the need for stronger protections, but hares do not recognise county boundaries. That is why national legislation matters."

"We hope Baroness Hayman's cunning plan proves considerably more successful than Baldrick's."