Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the deterrent effect of fines for persons convicted of hare coursing, in the light of the finding by the House Commons Library that the average fine is £256.43.

Under the Hunting Act 2004, an individual can receive an unlimited fine if found guilty of illegal hunting or hare coursing. Sentencing and the level of fine imposed if a person is found guilty is a matter for the courts.