Trail hunting to be banned in England and Wales as part of new animal welfare strategy
Government to outlaw trail hunting citing concerns it serves as a cover for hunting wild animals; rural groups warn of impact.
England and Wales are set to ban trail hunting as part of a new animal welfare strategy to be published by the government on Monday. Trail hunting involves laying a rag soaked in animal scent to create a scent trail for hounds to follow, while riders in a hunt pursue the pack. The practice has remained legal since the 2004 Hunting Act due to its lack of an explicit kill, but ministers say it is being used as a 'smokescreen' for hunting wild animals and should be outlawed.
The plan reflects a manifesto commitment to end the activity, with ministers saying they will consult in the new year on how to implement the ban. The 2004 Hunting Act bans using dogs to hunt wild mammals in England and Wales, though trail hunts have been argued to sidestep that ban because no actual animal is killed during the pursuit. The government says removing trail hunting would strengthen the spirit of the act and protect wildlife.
Reaction was swift from rural groups and some farming voices. Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said the move is 'completely unnecessary' and accused the government of re-opening a debate settled 20 years ago. He warned of potential harm to rural communities and criticized Labour's stance on rural issues. The British Hound Sports Association has argued that trail hunts are vital to rural economies and wellbeing.
Anti-hunting groups countered that illegal or harmful activity has occurred. The League Against Cruel Sports said nearly 1,600 incidents were recorded during the prior hunting season, including 397 reports of foxes being chased. The group urged action to stop the practice.
Conservative figures and others criticized the plan. Conservative party chair Kevin Hollinrake described the ban as an 'attack on rural Britain and British culture' and said it punishes law-abiding supporters of legal trail hunting. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called Labour 'authoritarian control freaks' in response to the plan.
Context across the UK: Trail hunting is already banned in Scotland. In Northern Ireland, hunting with dogs remains legal. The government will proceed with consultation in the new year to determine details of the ban, including enforcement and exemptions, according to ministers.
BBC News and other outlets have covered the debate as part of the broader animal welfare and rural policy discussions ahead of the strategy's publication.