Hunting with dogs is to be allowed to resume across Sussex from December 17.

Rural affairs minister Alun Michael said the pursuit, since the start of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, would now be permitted in counties declared free of the disease.

However it will have to operate under strict rules, including a stipulation that the land used for the hunt has been free of livestock for 28 days.

Mr Michael pointed out the decision had been based purely on animal health grounds and the need to prevent further outbreaks of FMD.

He said the continued debate over whether hunting with dogs should be banned had played no part in the Government's deliberations.

MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of a ban in the last Parliament but the move was blocked in the House of Lords.

The Government promised another free vote on the issue in the Queen's Speech earlier this year.

Mr Michael said: "Today's proposals address purely and simply whether or not the current ban on hunting under animal health legislation is justified as an FMD control measure.

"We are considering the way in which FMD controls can be eased in a way that reflects the complexity of the veterinary risk assessment and progressmade with eradicating the disease.

"The debate on whether or not hunting is right or wrong plays no part in this."

Mr Michael added that the proposals were not related to any decision that Parliament might take on hunting.