THE Government is to force hunts to apply for a licence every 28 days in an attempt to save its Hunting Bill.

But the legislation may be scrapped altogether if anti-hunt MPs refuse to support the move and push for an outright ban.

The 28-day licensing rule would tie hunters in red tape and effectively kill the pursuit.

Under the proposed legislation, they would already be forced to pass tough tests, which alone could make hunting in North Yorkshire almost impossible.

But forcing hunts to pass these tests every 28 days would "rip the heart out of the pursuit", according to Westminster insiders.

Rural Affairs Minster Alun Michael knows he is facing a bitter battle to save the legislation, which will return to the Commons on Monday, June 30.

More than 120 Labour backbenchers have already signed an amendment to turn the Bill into an outright ban.

Mr Michael hopes the licensing clause will buy their support in the crucial vote on the legislation's Third Reading. He is privately warning Labour MPs they could lose the Bill altogether if they table their "wrecking" amendment.

The MPs - who believed they had a guarantee the Parliament Act would be used to force through a ban if this was the will of the Commons - will be furious.

But Mr Michael, under strong pressure from Tony Blair to find a compromise, has told them he will not use the Act to push through "bad" legislation.

Frank Houghton-Brown, joint master of Ryedale's Middleton Hunt, said the 28-day licence system seemed a red tape nightmare.

"It would potentially be even more unworkable, more of a burden on time not only for the hunts, but also for the Government officials," he said. Richard Morley, from the Derwent Hunt, agreed that a 28-day licensing system would render the Bill unworkable.

His wife, Sarah, said there were plans for a protest outside the House of Commons on the day of the third reading.

Updated: 10:48 Thursday, June 19, 2003