Foxhunting was banned in England and Wales on 18 February after 8 years of debate in Parliament.

It was banned in Scotland in 2002.

Supporters of foxhunting say that the ban undermines the rural way of life, and have led mass demonstrations outside and in Parliament in protest.

Opponents say it causes unnecessary cruelty to foxes and alternatives such as drag hunting could be used instead.

The Tories say they would try to repeal the ban which was passed on a free vote.

Farmers' income is strongly affected by the subsidies they get from the EU's Common Agricultural Policy.

It has been attacked for encouraging overproduction and hurting farmers in poor countries by paying above world prices.

Under a reform plan that came into effect on 1 January, subsidies will switch to environmental improvements.

UK supermarkets have also been under attack for having too much power over farmers, and both the Lib Dems and Tories want "fair prices" introduced.

The lack of affordable rural housing has forced many young people to leave local communities.

More second homes and long-distance urban commuting are contributing causes.

Labour wants to encourage more rural housebuilding by easing planning laws, while the Conservatives would give more power to local areas to block sprawl.

The Lib Dems want to limit holiday lets.

Of the approximately 90,000 gypsies and travellers in the UK, it is estimated that 3,500 have no legal place to stop.

Until 1994 local councils had an obligation to provide traveller sites.

Tensions have emerged where travellers have settled on sites and applied for retrospective planning permission.

The Tories say this is unfair and they should have to respect planning laws.

Labour say councils should act but only when they have found an alternative suitable pitch.