Parliament is to vote on whether or not to uphold the ban on fox hunting, which was introduced ten years ago. The ban outlaws using dogs to hunt wild mammals, with some exemptions.

There are about 200 registered packs of hounds in England and Wales, which kill an estimated 21,000-25,000 foxes a year. Around 45,000 people regularly participate in legally exempted fox hunting, and 250,000 participants turned up to various hunts on the most recent Boxing Day.

For my latest e-poll, I would like to know your views on the fox hunting ban.

Some say we should repeal the ban because fox hunting is more than just a sport, it preserves an important cultural tradition for many people across the UK. Groups like the Country Alliance believe that this rural tradition is often misunderstood and that the ban is simply an unnecessary attack on rural communities across the country.

Those in favour of upholding the ban argue that fox hunting is an outdated and unnecessary cruel practice and that it should continue to be illegal to set a pack of dogs to chase and kill a wild animal for sport.

If you support the ban please reply to this email with ‘Ban’

If you want to repeal the ban please reply ‘Repeal’

To find out more about this issue you can visit http://www.countryside-alliance.org/ca/ which presents arguments against the ban or http://www.league.org.uk/ which presents arguments in support of the ban.

As always, your voice is important to me. Your comments will be taken into account and I will let you know the result of the poll in a few weeks.

Tom Brake
Liberal Democrat MP for Carshalton and Wallington