SO what does the hunting community do now in the face of an imminent ban on the sport?

Assuming the legal challenge to the authority of the Parliament Act will fail, February 18 is the dreaded day. What will happen thereafter in the run-up to what is widely expected to be a General Election?

Despite the unscientific basis for the ban and the hypocritical attitude of those MPs who happily voted for the outlawing of just one sporting activity - without accepting the logic of also banning other equally "cruel" sports such as angling - desperate expressions of anger are a waste of time.

It is also naive to think that the hunt ban is going to become a critical General Election issue. There isn't one constituency in the country where the hunting vote is likely to unseat a Labour MP.

The talk is of civil disobediance and outright defiance, neither of which is defensible however silly the law. Huntsmen and women need to show restraint, despite the anger and frustration they feel. Actions which alienate the public at large will do their cause no good. Hunting martyrs will not glean much sympathy either, such is the state of the public's ignorance and general lack of interest in the issue.

The Government will, however, be embarrassed and possibly damaged by a dignified reaction by the hunting community to the injustice it faces in the election run-up. Dignified hunt activity which stops short of breaking the law - chasing foxes with hounds - is the only option.