Police chiefs have called for a new law to combat landowners who say they will ignore a ban on hunting and allow it to continue on their land.

A poll last week indicated that 63 per cent would oppose a ban and 47 per cent would be willing to break the law to defend the right to hunt.

Forum Response: Animal Defenders

Jan Creamer, director of Animal Defenders, told ePolitix: "The public is overwhelmingly opposed to hunting wild animals with hounds. After extensive debate, it has been established that the public demand an end to this barbaric activity and it is high time the government fulfilled its promise to impose the ban.

"It is grossly irresponsible of the NFU to encourage landowners to disregard the law and reveals a worrying contempt for the workings of the democratic process".

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

A spokesman for the Countryside Alliance told ePolitix: "It would be ludicrous for someone to be prosecuted for allowing a time-honoured activity on their land."

Forum Response: The Country Land and Business Association

Oliver Harwood, head of rural economy for the Country Land and Business Association, told ePolitix: "We are not saying landowners should be above the law, but there has to be a reasonable defence. You have to have permitted hunting to be in the frame. If you have not permitted it, being in the frame would contravene human rights laws."