Animal rights groups' fury at minister's hint of further delay to fox-hunting ban

Animal rights activists responded angrily yesterday to the news that the Government was preparing to announce yet another delay to the decision on whether to ban hunting with hounds.

Ministers had promised to decide the future of bloodsports as soon as a six-month consultation period ended this September. But, with feelings running high, Alun Michael, the Rural Affairs minister, has signalled a new delay.

The Government might defer the decision to allow time to evaluate the impact of a ban in Scotland, which will come into force next month if a last-minute legal challenge fails. Mr Michael hinted at the retreat in a BBC interview, saying: "I'm certainly not looking for an anniversary on a specific date in September. That would be absolutely ludicrous. I gave a timescale of some six months and I am working to that timescale."

Asked if that could mean a delay to November, he replied: "Yes indeed, there's no magic about a day precisely six months after my statement to the house in March. That's a complete nonsense." He also conceded that the implementation of the ban in Scotland would be used by some people to call for another delay.

Mr Michael insisted the Government's objective was to "emerge with robust legislation that is right and will stand the test of time".

But Miranda White, of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: "There's no reason for the Government to delay on this. They know what the public want. We've won the moral arguments. The Government should get on and ban it."

Phyllis Campbell-McRae, of the Campaign to Protect Hunted Animals, said: "The Commons has voted overwhelmingly in favour of a ban and Tony Blair has promised fox hunting will be banned. We call on him and his Government to honour their promises."

Mr Michael announced the consultation period in March after a Commons vote to ban hunting was overturned for a second time by the Lords. He said then: "This will last no more than six months, including work on drafting a Bill."