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		MEP backs hunting exhibition Thursday, 16th December 2004 The European Parliament's Hunting & Conservation "Inter-Group" (cross-party single-issue group) re-launched itself in December for the new 2004/09 parliament, with an exhibition in the Strasbourg Parliament building. East Midlands Conservative MEP Roger Helmer, who was on the "bureau" (management committee) of the intergroup in the 99/04 parliament, has given firm backing to the initiative. The intergroup is part of the European hunting organisation FACE (Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation), of which the British Countryside Alliance is a member. It represents the interests of hunting people in Europe, and brings together MEPs from many EU countries who have an interest in country sports, and recognise the vital contribution of hunting to conservation, countryside management, biodiversity, rural economies and tourism. Mr Helmer has supported the work of the intergroup since 1999, and has made support for country sports a key campaigning focus for his parliamentary career. He organised a group of two-dozen Conservative MEPs who marched together on the recent Countryside March in London. Commenting on the exhibition, Mr Helmer said "At this time when hunting in the UK is under threat as never before, it is encouraging to know we have the moral support of hunting people across the continent. The UK hunting ban has nothing to do with animal welfare -- it is a mean-spirited piece of misconceived class warfare, and an affront to civil liberties".