MADAM,

WHILST most right thinking, law abiding people across these two islands have enjoyed watching the king’s coronation and they would be disgusted by the protests. However, the swift action of the Metropolitan Police to arrest and detain some protestors must be commended.

For decades country sports in the UK, particularly foxhunting, have been under attack by protesters clad in black and wearing balaclavas to conceal their identities. In many cases the British police stood back and were not as proactive as we’ve seen in London this weekend. In essence they allowed these anarchists to disrupt country sports and the countryside. A tiny minority have brought hunting to a stand still. Horse racing is next.

Having been involved in defending hunting and studying animal rights groups since 1979, I have witnessed the failure of democratic administrations to deal with disruptive and sometimes violent protesters. By not dealing with these miscreants merely encourages other groups to emulate the more extreme forms of protest, to be disruptive, destructive and violent.

Very recently we have witnessed the attempt to stop the English Grand National and these animal rights protestors have vowed to cause further disruption at other significant race meetings over the forthcoming months. They will stop at nothing to get publicity for their insidious agenda. And some of the same anarchists were present at the Extinction Rebellion protest in London.

Our politicians would do well to wake up to the very real threat that animal rights activists pose to our agriculture-based economy, our milk and food processing industries, and, close to our hearts, the entire equestrian industry from breeding to hunting to racing. Whilst I can understand lawful opposition and protests in a democratic society, I cannot understand the apparent hypocrisy and reluctance to deal with all forms of violent protest in the same manner as the Metropolitan Police did so effectively in London this weekend and the same way that our Gardai deal with violent republicanism and criminal drugs gangs. Specifically the wearing of hoodies and balaclavas at such protests should be prohibited by law. Our politicians are not awake to these threats.

In this jurisdiction, we in agriculture and in the equestrian industry are joined by a golden thread and we have a common enemy. It’s time to wake up to the reality that an attack on one is an attack on all and that united and together we can change the laws and secure our respective futures. Whilst we in hunting are in the frontline at the moment, horse racing is next.

Yours etc

James E Norton

Co Kilkenny