CHESTER'S MP will today lead a debate in Parliament about whether the law is tough enough on practices like fox hunting.

The discussion will look at whether enough is being done to crack down on wildlife crime and whether those individuals and groups are able to flout the law.

Ahead of the 2.30pm debate taking place in Westminster Hall, Chester MP Chris Matheson said: "Today I am leading a debate in Parliament about Wildlife crime including the continued practise of Fox Hunting.

"I’ll be joined by North West Labour MPs calling for an end to Government inaction on this issue; animals are still brutally chased and killed by hunts across the country, fifteen years on from the hunting ban coming into force. It is time the Hunting Act 2004 was reviewed to remove the numerous loopholes which allow fox hunters to remain above the law."

Members of the public were asked to submit their views ahead of the debate.

They were asked: "Does the Hunting Act need to be strengthened in relation to fox hunting?" and "Do the police have enough resources to prevent wildlife crime?"

Earlier this year, police were called to investigate three separate reports of a fox being killed during hunts in Cheshire.

At the time, Cheshire Police said~: "We are fully committed to thoroughly investigating this incident and will bring to justice anybody found to have broken the law."

Consequently a few hundred anti-hunt protesters held a peaceful demonstration outside the force's headquarters in Winsford to demanded action be taken against illegal hunting.

In December, Labour pledged it would review penalties under the Hunting Act 2004 to ensure it was an effective deterrent.

Under the Act it is an offence to hunt a wild mammal with dogs, although there are some exemptions.

Mr Matheson added: "I’d like to thank the four thousand people who took part in the House of Commons online discussion about this debate. The sheer level of engagement demonstrates the strongly held opinions on this issue."

You can watch the debate at 2:30pm today on Parliament TV https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Guide