My constituents have contacted me about hare coursing and close season shooting.
Hare coursing is a vile and despicable activity which not only involves cruelty to wild animals but is also associated with a range of other criminal activities, including theft, criminal damage, violence and intimidation.
I have worked extensively on this issue alongside Humberside Police’s Rural Crime Team, having successfully campaigned for new legislation and sentencing guidelines for hare coursing. A clear message is being sent to all those who partake in this horrid practice; do so, and you will be caught and convicted.
You can read more about my work on this issue here: https://www.grahamstuart.com/news/graham-celebrates-suspended-prison-sentence-hare-coursing
On close season shooting, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has said:
"The particular issue around the shooting of hares is that there is not a closed season, which there is for other species. This is an anomaly, and we should look at it very carefully."
I will be following any developments closely and ensuring that the government work as promised on this important issue.