Boxing Day hunts may soon become a thing of the past as the UK Government prepares to launch a consultation on banning trail hunting next year. Trail hunting, which involves laying a scent for hounds to follow rather than pursuing a live animal, was introduced to replace fox hunting after it was outlawed by the Labour government in 2004.
Despite being a legal alternative, activists argue that trail hunting often serves as a cover for illegal fox hunting. Matt Longman, Devon and Cornwall’s Assistant Chief Constable and the national police lead on illegal hunting, has described trail hunting as a frequent “smokescreen” for unlawful activities.
The Government is set to honor its manifesto commitment by introducing a prohibition on trail hunting within this parliamentary session as part of a new animal welfare strategy. Animal Welfare Minister Baroness Hayman emphasized: “In our manifesto we said we would ban trail hunting, and that’s exactly what we’ll do. There is evidence that trail hunting is being used as a smokescreen for the hunting of wild animals, and that’s not acceptable.”
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Alongside trail hunting, proposed changes are expected to ban the shooting of hares in England for most of the year. Ministers plan to collect public opinions during a new consultation starting early next year.
Thomas Schultz-Jagow, Director of Advocacy and Prevention at the RSPCA, welcomed the impending changes, condemning trail hunting as an “abhorrent and cruel bloodsport.” He noted the ongoing suffering of wild animals, pets, and horses subjected to these hunts and highlighted the difficulties authorities face in enforcing current laws due to the deceptive nature of trail hunting.
Data from the League Against Cruel Sports illustrates the scale of illegal hunting, reporting 264 cases during the last hunting season, with 211 foxes pursued—a 10% increase—and 19 foxes confirmed or strongly suspected to have been killed.
Emma Slawinski, CEO of the League Against Cruel Sports, called for a permanent end to fox hunting, stating: “Trail hunting was invented after fox hunting was banned by the last Labour government in 2005, as the hunts were convinced the ban wouldn’t hold. It’s time for hunts to accept that fox hunting won’t return and for the Government to strengthen laws to better prosecute offenders.”
She also urged the Government to close loopholes in the Hunting Act that allow hunts to target other wild animals like deer, hares, otters, and mink, and to increase penalties for illegal hunting convictions.
Conversely, the Countryside Alliance criticized the proposed legislation changes, calling them unjustified and accusing Labour of an “obsession” with hunting. Tim Bonner, CEO of the Countryside Alliance, argued: “Animal rights activists have spent 20 years making baseless claims about legal hunts. Trail hunting is a legal activity that supports hundreds of jobs and is vital to many rural communities. The Government should focus on policies that support rural life instead of pursuing divisive hunting bans.”
As the debate intensifies, the future of trail hunting—and traditional Boxing Day hunts—hangs in the balance.