The SNP will vote against a relaxation of the fox hunting ban in England and Wales in a crunch Commons vote.
The SNP will vote against a relaxation of the fox hunting ban in England and Wales in a crunch Commons vote.
The party said the move would "assert the Scottish interest on fox hunting".
Earlier, No 10 had called on SNP MPs to abstain, saying that the changes would not affect their constituents.
The decision means David Cameron risks his first major defeat since May's General Election.
Last night SNP Westminster Group Leader Angus Robertson MP said: "We totally oppose fox hunting, and when there are moves in the Scottish Parliament to review whether the existing Scottish ban is strong enough, it is in the Scottish interest to maintain the existing ban in England and Wales for Holyrood to consider."
He added: "We are in a situation where the Tory government are refusing to agree to any amendments to improve the Scotland Bill - which are supported by 58 of Scotland's 59 MPs - and imposing English Votes for English Laws to make Scotland's representation at Westminster second class.
"In these circumstances, it is right and proper that we assert the Scottish interest on fox hunting by voting with Labour against the Tories' proposals to relax the ban - in the process, reminding an arrogant UK government of just how slender their majority is - just as we will vote against the Tory welfare cuts next week, and appeal to Labour to join us."
The move defies the Government's call for the SNP MPs to abstain.
Downing Street said that the proposed reforms to the ban affected only England and Wales.
SNP MPs who opposed the move would have to justify their decision to their voters, who would be unaffected by any changes, the Prime Minister's official spokeswoman added.
The result of the vote is expected to be extremely close, leading to speculation that it could be swung by the votes of the SNP's 56 MPs.
The party traditionally does not vote on "England only" issues.
But critics claim that the small print of the reforms suggest that the changes could have knock-on effects for Scotland.
Opponents to foxhunting are also suspicious that the Conservative
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