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		Hunting ban raised in Brussels Wednesday, 12th October 2005 Brussels – Speaking in a European parliament plenary session today, East Midlands Conservative MEP Roger Helmer has attacked the Labour government's controversial ban on hunting with hounds. During a debate on the subject of circuses, defined as "a recognised part of European culture", Helmer argued that for hunting, as well as for circuses, there were genuine and legitimate animal welfare concerns, but in neither case should these be used as a pretext to ban the activity. He also emphasised the importance of both circuses and hunting as essential parts of our cultural heritage, especially in his own East Midlands region, which contains some of the best hunting country, and the most historic hunts, in England. In a light-hearted side-swipe at the European parliament, he also remarked that "It is entirely appropriate that we should be debating the circus in this House, considering that the European parliament is the biggest travelling circus in the world". Helmer has supported the Fernie Hunt in Leicestershire, and is a regular spectator at the Waterloo Cup. See also the full text of Roger's speech