The overwhelming majority of British people say that angling should continue and should not be banned, with only 12% saying that it should be, says an ICM poll commissioned by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) the results of which were released following a seminar at The CLA Game Fair, Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire.
The poll results were announced by Jeremy Paxman who chaired a debate called “The Future of Angling after the hunting ban”.
Labour MP for Sherwood, Paddy Tipping who had voted to ban hunting and reiterated the Government’s intention not to ban angling or shooting.
Sean Gifford, the European Director for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) argued that angling caused suffering to fish and, as such, should be banned. He also said that milking cows and shearing sheep for wool were cruel, when prompted by Jeremy Paxman.
Peter Luff, Conservative MP for Mid-Worcestershire and Vice Chairman of the Parliamentary Middle Way Group, said that if the principles used to ban hunting were applied to angling and shooting this would technically lead to their ban. Peter warned that concentrating on scientific arguments about fish and their capacity to feel pain was a red herring. In agreement with Paddy Tipping, he advised that anglers focused on the key challenge of communicating social, environmental and economic benefits of their sport.
Other speakers included game angler, Tom Fort who was dubious that the Government had the stomach for another country sports debate. Also speaking were Professor John Webster, Emeritus Professor of Animal Husbandry and Paul Knight, Director of the Salmon and Trout Association.
The results of the ICM were almost uniform across the regions and amongst age groups.
Mark Hudson, President of the CLA said, “This poll shows that there is not a shred of public support to ban angling and any calls for it to be banned are highly marginal. That sentiment was echoed by the Rural Affairs minister, Jim Knight MP, who attended Game Fair yesterday. The future for angling is more a question of increasing its appeal for younger generations than banning it.”FISHINGmagic Notes
ICM Poll: ICM interviewed a random sample of 1000 adults aged 18+, by telephone between 16th and 17th July 2005. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at www.icmresearch.co.uk
