​Fox and stag hunting should be afforded protection by the United Nations because it is ‘woven into the fabric of rural life’, a leading European politician has said.

Tory MEP Roger Helmer called for hunting with dogs – which is currently technically banned in Britain – to be given special cultural status by UNESCO, the UN’s education, scientic and cultural organisation, which is best known for bestowing world heritage status on places like Stonehenge and Bath.

But the proposition has outraged anti-hunt groups, who said the move could ‘let hunting in through the back door’ to become legal again.

Mr Helmer spoke after UNESCO awarded the cultural status to the ancient practice of falconry, following a major campaign from across the world.

Representatives of falconry from 16 countries, including Britain, other European countries and the Middle East, where falconry was invented 4,000 years ago, lobbied to get the sport recognised as an ‘intangible cultural heritage of humanity’.

Although the accolade is largely a symbolic one, it gives certain protection and rights to falconry from state interference.

Mr Helmer, a pro-hunt Tory MEP, said the move boosts the call for hunting with dogs to be given the same status – one which would give added impetus to the campaign to repeal the 2005 Hunting Act.

"The real importance of this UNESCO recognition for falconry is the status it confers on hunting in general,” said Mr Helmer.

“Hunting is woven into the fabric of rural life, an unbroken thread of culture that binds man to his natural world. And if falconry is an intangible cultural heritage, then undoubtedly English fox-hunting is as well,” he added.

Animal rights group Viva! said it was concerned that the pro-hunting lobby could ‘theoretically bypass the democratic process’.

“Pro-hunt politicians know that they will not win a vote on hunting,” said campaigns director Justin Kerswell.

“So it is worrying that some might be looking for other ways to bring back this barbaric practice – even by possibly side-stepping the democratic process.

“In France, the production of foie gras has been enshrined as part of the cultural heritage, which effectively prevents Europe from banning this famously cruel practice in that country.

“Animal welfare groups in the UK would fight any moves to try and do the same thing here for fox hunting,” he added.

“We used to dunk witches in England, but who would argue that still makes up part of our cultural identity today?

“Yes, fox hunting is steeped in tradition – but it is a tradition of cruelty and privilege.”We should actually be celebrating the end of the war on wildlife, not looking to step back into the dark ages.”