HUNDREDS of determined pro-hunt demonstrators gathered in a show of force at a conference attended by Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael.

Around 300 peaceful protestors from across the county attended the Ruralnet conference at the Ramada Hotel at Hollingbourne, near Maidstone. They lined the driveway with banners and placards.

The East Kent Hunt, farriers, anglers, the Hollingbourne Shoot, the National Gamekeepers Organisation and the Ashford Valley Hunt were all present to show their anger at the Minister who is heading a Bill to have hunting with dogs banned completely.

Nick Onslow, from the East Kent Hunt, said: “If we don’t use hounds to hunt, people will use other more dubious means. The RSPCA say they will help to home the hounds, but they put down thousands of dogs because they can’t home them every year.

“People here would give up their last penny to look after their horse or dog. We’re all on side for that. The difficulty is that this is not about animal welfare. This is about animal rights, which for me is dangerous.”

He added: “I work with children with serious and profound learning disabilities. I have a seriously disabled wife. I am not a cruel person. How can people draw this line to say I am cruel?”

Oliver Hopper, 26, a farrier from Tickham,who says his livelihood would be threatened if hunting were banned, stressed: “They just haven’t thought about it. What’s involved and who it is going to effect.

“I am looking to take on apprentices and train lads, but I can’t if there’s no business.”

Jenny Newton, from Goudhurst, said: “I am here because I support country life. I think people are misinformed. Think of all the trouble that goes on in the wild with animals.”

Huntswoman Jackie Hurst-Brown said: “The Burns Report said hunting is not cruel. If they do a report they might as well take notice of what it said. I hunt because of the education of horses. That’s why I do it. The real issue between hunting and all these country pursuits is that they’re interdependent.”

She added: “People talk about animal rights, but animals don’t have rights. To have rights you have to be a free-thinking being. Only humans have rights. I stand only for animal welfare.”

Peter Waghorn, who shoots countrywide, said: “This is already crossing over to shooting. If you read the White Paper, this is about the hunting of mammals with dogs. I fear that I won’t be able to do what I love doing in the end.”