Twenty months after the hunting of foxes with hounds was banned, it is tempting to ask what the fuss was about.

The Hunting Act, one of the most controversial pieces of legislation to come before the House of Commons, was debated for months by opposing sides fully entrenched in their views.

It would be the end of the countryside as we knew it and a devastating blow for the rural economy, organisations such as the Countryside Alliance claimed. Hundreds of jobs would disappear, packs of hounds would have to be destroyed. It was a venomous, politically inspired example of the class war.

Supporters of the ban were equally adamant that the Act did not go nearly far enough. Toffs in red coats would still be able to ride to hounds and while foxes could no longer be ripped apart by hounds they could still be legally killed by gassing or shooting. The nature of the legislation, essentially a compromise between the Government and the pro-hunt lobby, meant that it would be impossible to police the activities of hunts or to bring a prosecution.

The actual impact of the Act has probably surprised both sides. The number of foxes killed through lawful methods is sharply down, while there is little evidence of unlawful activity by the hunts. Most hunt members have reluctantly agreed not to break the law but to put their energies instead to having the legislation repealed.

The ban paradoxically has had the effect of inspiring fresh enthusiasm, with hunts across the country reporting more members and supporters and some taking on new hounds. This reaction is in effect an example of the countryside sticking a collective two fingers up to the Government and its metropolitan allies.

Hunting with dogs is banned, but foxhunting goes from strength to strength. It could only happen in Britain.