Tesco Again Supporting Fox Hunting

Hunt Saboteurs Association News Release 9^th July 2018

The Tesco store in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion is fundraising for the Gogerddan Hunt Pony Club as part of their Tesco Bags of Help Grant Scheme. The scheme will enable customers to donate tokens to the Pony Club and Tesco will then convert this into money.

Pony Clubs are an essential part of fox hunting, not only providing financial support, but also grooming future generations to believe that chasing and killing animals for sport is acceptable. Hunts hold special pony club meets, often in school holidays, where young riders are welcomed along and encouraged to become part of the hunt.

Last year Tesco received international condemnation after selling a children’s doll dressed as a huntsman. Media outlets from as far afield as America and China covered the story and Tesco were forced to recall the product.

Lee Moon, Spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, stated: “If we’re feeling generous we can assume that Tesco don’t understand the close links between pony clubs and fox hunts. If this is the case then we expect them to quickly withdraw their support once it’s made clear to them where their money is going. If they continue to support the Gogerdden hunt it’s clear they have no ethics at all and are happy to publicly endorse the chasing and killing of wildlife. Following on from their gaffe last year when they sold a childs toy dressed as a huntsman Tesco need to seriously consider their PR approach as they’re starting to look like they’re actively recruiting the next generations of hunters for the Countryside Alliance.”