UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan plans a private member’s bill to ban foxhunting and trail-hunting, closing legal gaps and tightening existing laws.
As reported by The Independent, ministers face pressure from a parliamentary campaign group to end illegal foxhunting, as plans for a public consultation move forward.
How did Neil Duncan-Jordan plan to ban trail-hunting and close loopholes?
Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan plans to introduce a private member’s Bill next year to tackle legal gaps that allow trail-hunting to continue.
He said,
“This is our window of opportunity to get the ban done before the election. There’s no way Nigel Farage [Reform UK leader] will introduce a ban.”
During its time in opposition, the Labour Party pledged to crack down on illegal hunting and included a trail-hunting ban in its previous election manifesto.
Last month, Mr Duncan-Jordan joined the North London Hunt Saboteurs and said he observed no sign of hunters following a scent trail.
“The hounds were all over the place, including on the road, where they blocked traffic. And they were sent into bushes or undergrowth where no one could have laid a trail,”
he stated.
Mr Duncan-Jordan said,
“Riders positioned themselves either side of a section of woodland to spot any fox that made a run for it. Why would they do that if following a trail?”
According to him, hunt supporters ignored his “good morning,” instead staring at him and raising camera phones in an apparent attempt to intimidate him.
The New Hunting Ban, launched in May, has held meetings with the RSPCA, League Against Cruel Sports, and the head of the Wildlife Crime Unit, presenting its proposed reforms as an example of “gold-standard legislation.”
Mr Duncan-Jordan said,
“This isn’t fringe politics – this is mainstream animal welfare.”
The Labour MP rejected suggestions that anti-hunting sentiment is driven by class jealousy, saying the saboteurs he encountered came from diverse career backgrounds.
Mr Duncan-Jordan said,
“You can enjoy riding across countryside and enjoy having dogs, but it doesn’t need to end in killing an innocent wild animal. I have no interest in stopping rituals or people putting on fancy clothes and riding out with friends.”
He stated that such actions should not lead to an animal being killed violently, adding,
“I’m interested in making sure we can get a ban done properly before the election.”
The proposed private member’s bill will also ban stag-hunting, which hunters carry out using loopholes in the law.
What reforms does the New Hunting Ban propose to end foxhunting?
Next week, the New Hunting Ban campaign will publish a list of reforms aimed at strengthening the 2004 Hunting Act, marking the Act’s 21st anniversary.
The 2005 law outlawed hunting wild mammals with dogs in England and Wales. Although hunters claim they follow a scent trail, reports from observers and drones indicate that foxhunting remains common.
Residents, businesses, animal sanctuaries, and even funerals have been disrupted by hounds running across their land, with some pets falling victim to attacks.
Earlier reports revealed that the owner of a pony-trekking business was forced to close her £70,000-a-year company due to ongoing disruption. In certain areas, those opposing hunting claim they face intimidation and harassment.
Environment Minister Angela Eagle said a public consultation will take place early next year. In 2020, major landowners halted trail-hunting after a leaked Zoom meeting showed hunt leaders across Britain discussing methods to create “a smokescreen.”
Chief Superintendent Matt Longman, National Policing Lead on Hunting with Hounds, told a parliamentary committee in October,
“Taking cases to court is inherently difficult. The question is: have we got the tools to deliver what the public expects? At the moment, I believe trail hunting is being used as a smokescreen.”
According to Action Against Foxhunting (AAF), police responses to more than 80 incidents in one winter season revealed that forces often ignore reports of illegal foxhunting and fail to bring charges even when presented with strong evidence.
What did the British Hound Sports Association say about Neil Duncan-Jordan’s comments?
A spokesperson for the governing body, the British Hound Sports Association, said,
“Nothing in Mr Duncan-Jordan’s comments describes unlawful behaviour. Hounds entering cover, riders keeping sight of them, and supporters filming interactions are all routine features of trail-hunting. Misunderstanding normal practice is not a basis for banning a legal activity.”
They added,
“What is difficult to understand is why the MP for Poole did not respond to our invitation to National Trail Hunting Day — including a meet only 20 miles from his constituency — yet chose instead to make a nearly-300-mile round trip to accompany saboteurs in Northamptonshire. His constituents might reasonably ask how that served their interests.”
“Scrutiny of trail-hunting is entirely legitimate, and we welcome it. But scrutiny must be based on evidence, not assumption. Mr Duncan-Jordan has not presented anything that justifies calling for a ban on an activity that is lawful, regulated and conducted under clear rules,”
the governing body continued.
What is the 2004 Hunting Act?
The Hunting Act 2004 is the primary law in England and Wales that regulates hunting with dogs. It makes it illegal to hunt wild mammals with dogs. This specifically bans the traditional form of fox hunting, deer hunting, and hare hunting with hounds.
The Act is not an absolute ban and includes exemptions for specific, controlled activities. These include using up to two dogs to flush out a fox to be shot by a waiting person, to prevent damage to livestock, or for pest control.
The law is enforced through penalties, including fines and the potential forfeiture of dogs, vehicles, or hunting equipment.
