We are proposing to establish one Central Hunting Office to make best use of funds and provide central advice. There will be a helpline and web site, dedicated to answering the many questions that will inevitably arise as our strategy evolves. Meanwhile we strongly advise all hunts to put in place the changes necessary to enable them to pursue the course of action that we have outlined in this leaflet. We must stand together, remain steadfast and determined to win.

Hunts need to be aware of the considerable powers of seizure and forfeiture. Reasons for the retention of equipment and articles should be understood by Masters and hunt staff so that they are prepared for any police intrusion or inquiry.

The Police should always be treated in a polite and respectful way that they expect of us. A number of Police Forces have invited Masters to attend liaison meetings. We recommend that you accept in order to hear what the police have to say, but you should not expand on your own plans. You might feel free to show them your revised Constitution if so requested. There have already been a number of instances where the Police have approached hunt staff to warn them against breaking the law and enquire of their plans. Such approaches should be firmly dismissed.

So long as hunts are legal entities dedicated to legal pursuits then Public Liability cover should continue. Revised hunt constitutions will be important evidence to prove legality for insurance purposes.

Hunts will need to obtain landowners’ permission to enter the land in order to carry out legal activities. We are in discussion with the NFU and the CLA and we will provide a suitable template letter by which the relevant permission can be granted, and which is aimed at exempting landowners and farmers from prosecution.