A ban on hunting with hounds may signal the end of an age old tradition. But the financial implications are likely to be severe. The Birmingham Post's Rural Affairs Reporter Sarah Probert looks at the consequences... In a few weeks Warwickshire huntsman William Deakin could lose his job and his house. Meanwhile, the local feed merchant faces the prospect of laying off staff and losing 60 per cent of her business, and farmers in the area are looking at costs running into thousands to get rid of their dead stock. A recent report estimated compensation costs of nearly £700,000 if the Warwickshire Hunt is forced to disband when the ban on hunting comes into force on February 18. Nationally, compensation payouts could cost the Government £173 million. While the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs believes it is not liable for compensation, the issue goes before the courts later this month when the Countryside Alliance challenges the Hunting Bill in the Court of Human Rights. The Warwickshire Hunt, with kennels in Kineton, has become a thriving business, generating £100,000 a year and providing jobs, work and support for the community. Although it remains unclear what will happen to the hunting groups across England and Wales after February 18, if Warwickshire does pack up the consequences are all too clear. For opponents hunting is vicious and cruel. For others, it is a livelihood, a mini industry, supporting the local economy. A report compiled by PJE Consultants for the Countryside Alliance says those expected to suffer if the hunt disbands include farriers, vets, livery stables, and farmers. Vets associated with the Warwickshire Hunt could claim up to £54,000 for loss of profit. Farriers could be entitled to as much as £246,000 based on 205 horses no longer used for hunting, eradicating the need for shoeing. Livery stables, which look after 77 horses, could claim £75,000 for loss of profit based on livery costs of £175 per week, claims the report. The consultants also estimated farmers connected with the hunt would have to pay out an extra £87,000 a year without the aid of the hunt to remove fallen stock. A further £13,200 would be spent on culling foxes, with figures based on 'lamping' costs of £15 per hour to kill 100 brace per season. Anthony Spencer, joint master of the hunt, said: "It costs money running a hunt. Without the hunt the whole thing comes to a halt. We can't afford to employ staff and the hounds so there are financial and economic implications for everyone. "The Government hasn't really looked at the financial costs, what will happen to the fox population and what farmers will do with fallen stock." The Warwickshire Hunt can be traced back to 1791, when it was formed by a Mr Corbet. One of the leading Midland packs, it has had a succession of legendary huntsmen including Bob Champion, Ted Cox and George Gillson. It is also one of the few packs which hunts four days a week, earning up to £100,000 a year with subscriptions from followers. It has seven full-time and two part-time staff all housed at Kineton who look after 14 horses and the hounds. Last year the Warwickshire Hunt caught a record 227 foxes - more than any other UK hunt. | 
