UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The government faces growing pressure over its decision to change trail hunting laws, with campaign groups accusing ministers of taking unjustified action.
After the government banned traditional hunts in 2004, trail hunting started as an alternative, using a rag with animal scent to make a trail.
It resembles traditional fox hunting with dogs but avoids harming or chasing animals. However, animal welfare campaigners argue that it’s being used as a cover for illegal fox hunting.
During its election manifesto this year, the Labour Party, who’s behind the initial dog hunting ban, urged to prohibit trail hunting as part of its plan to “improve animal welfare.”
As the Boxing Day hunts took place on Thursday, the government’s new plans were in the spotlight, with some defending the hunts as a legal activity that united the rural areas.
The Independent reported that Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said it would be “extraordinary” to focus on trail hunting considering the poor ties with rural areas.
He added, “It’s very sad that we may be going back to a point where we have to waste even more parliamentary time on this irrelevant issue.”
Mr Bonner said if the government claims the law needs changing to address illegal behaviour, the issue must be carefully examined, and any proposals should directly tackle that concern.
Just weeks earlier, Chancellor Rachel imposed inheritance tax on farmland for the first time since 1992, with a 20% rate on land worth £1 million or over.
Animal campaigners are increasing pressure on the government to take stronger action against animal cruelty, with an estimated 250 hunts taking place for the Boxing Day hunt.
According to the League Against Cruel Sports, its surveillance team showed that 186 foxes have been hunted since August, along with 220 reports of suspicious hunting activities.
The organization reported 553 incidents of “hunt havoc,” where hounds created disturbances by chasing animals, worrying livestock, causing traffic problems, or upsetting people.
Emma Judd, the League Against Cruel Sports’ campaign leader stated, “Hunts may claim they are following a pre-laid animal scent trail, known as trail hunting, but this is nothing but a smokescreen to conceal old-fashioned illegal hunting.”
A study conducted by the pressure group in May exposed that the majority of people are in favour of stronger laws to prohibit fox hunting.
Dan Norris, the Labour MP for North East Somerset and Hanham, insisted ministers to tackle public concerns, including from rural areas, and close the loopholes that allow hunting to continue.
The new report published this year disclosed that banning trail hunting would not ban hunts from killing foxes and deer, as hunters would use alternative methods to break the law.
Reports indicate the government plans to introduce tougher penalties for fox hunters, and countryside groups have accused officials of “starting another conflict” with rural regions.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has rejected the claim of stricter actions against fox hunters, saying the government has “no immediate plans.”
A spokesperson from Defra said, “This government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious animal welfare plans in a generation and that is exactly what we will do.”
Other reports reveal that between November 2023 to March 2024, there were 1,396 trail hunting incidents reported, including 526 incidents considered illegal hunting.