David Cameron has "sympathy" with relaxing the ban on fox-hunting, his official spokesman has said.
The comments came as Environment Secretary Owen Paterson is coming under pressure from a cross-party alliance of MPs to scrap a law
prohibiting farmers from using more than two dogs to flush out foxes.
prohibiting farmers from using more than two dogs to flush out foxes.
If sanctioned, it could mark a first step towards the return of fox-hunting with a full pack of hounds in Devon and Cornwall. The coalition Government has pledged to stage a free vote on repealing the controversial Hunting Act altogether.
But one Westcountry MP, who is anxious to see the ban reversed, cautioned against rushing to a Commons vote this side of a general election as pro-hunt MPs would not win. Nonetheless, the prospect of amendments to the legislation is now a live political issue.
The Prime Minister's spokesman said: "There is a very specific issue here around pest control and the impact it has on particular farming communities, such as hill farmers. The Prime Minister has some sympathy with these concerns. They have been voiced by MPs from across the House."
The spokesman said the coalition agreement included provision for a free vote on hunting, and declined to rule out holding one before the general election.
"Given the cross-party nature of concerns raised in this area, it is something the House may wish to consider," he said.
Farmers say attacks by foxes on lambs have increased, and argue that limited pest control measures permitted under the 2004 Hunting Act are not working.
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