Trail hunting is set to be banned in England and Wales, delivering a key manifesto commitment. A public consultation will open today on how to take the ban forward.
After years of inaction by the Conservatives, this Labour government is taking action to end this cruel sport which has been used to continue fox hunting whilst evading the law and also threatens livestock, disrupts traffic and can wreak havoc on rural communities.
Toby Perkins, MP for Chesterfield, said: “Animal welfare is something that I and my constituents care deeply about, and I spoke out against trail hunting as Shadow Nature Minister. So I am delighted that this Labour government is set to ban trail hunting, which has been used as a smokescreen for illegal and cruel hunts of wild animals with dogs, fulfilling a key manifesto promise.”
Trail hunting is where hounds follow a pre-laid animal-based scent across the countryside, mimicking traditional hunting. It became popular in the UK after the Hunting Act 2004 became law, as an alternative to traditional fox hunting.
This can result in wild animals, including foxes and hares, being injured or killed by dogs, as well as household pets in some cases.
Trail hunting has seen foxes and other wild animals accidentally or deliberately pursued and killed as a result of dogs picking up their scent, as opposed to the ‘intended’ animal-based scent trail.
Concerns also persist that trail hunting is being used to continue fox hunting. The cruel and barbaric practice of fox hunting was banned 20 years ago by a previous Labour government. But Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman, who leads on hunting for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, has previously said he believes trail hunting is providing a smokescreen and it “gives people the opportunity to carry on hunting – as they always said they would when the ban came in 20 years ago.”
There are alternative practices, such as drag hunting and clean-boot hunting, which use non-animal scents, and so do not threaten precious wildlife. These responsible rural pursuits can continue, and they can support jobs and local businesses, and bring people together across the countryside.
A public consultation has opened today on how to take the ban forward. It will run until 18 June.
Toby added, “I know many of my constituents care deeply about ending trail hunting as people write to me regularly to express their concerns on this issue. I would urge everyone with an interest in this important issue to respond to the public consultation with their views.”
This announcement follows the publication of the Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy which outlined the most ambitious reforms to animal welfare in a generation – improving the lives of millions of animals across the UK.