Labour bans trail hunting in another blow to countryside

Labour has been accused of launching a fresh attack on rural England by outlawing trail hunting.

Ministers will on Monday announce a ban on the field sport – in which hunters follow packs of hounds through the countryside in search of pre-laid scents rather than live animals – as part of a wider Animal Welfare Strategy.

They say they are taking action over fears that trail hunting is being used to cover up the hunting of foxes, which the previous Labour government made illegal.

Environment minister Baroness Hayman said: '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. We are working out the best approach to take the ban forward and will run a consultation to seek views in the new year.'

But campaigners said the ban represented another attack on the countryside following Labour's inheritance tax raid on family farms. 

Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: 'More legislation on trail hunting is the last thing the countryside needs and it is extraordinary that the Government thinks this is a priority.

'The last Labour government spent hundreds of hours of parliamentary time banning traditional hunting, but it remains obsessed with the issue. When rural people are reeling from the imposition of inheritance tax on family farms and a hike on rural business rates, the last thing they need is another attack on the countryside.'

The looming ban on trail hunting in England and Wales – which will follows a similar move in Scotland in 2023 – is likely to spark fears for the future of the packs of foxhounds, beagles and other dogs used by hunters.

Mr Bonner added: 'Hunts are committed to the welfare of their hounds and to maintaining the social networks that are vital to so many rural communities.

'We will fight for a future for hunts and for hounds, and just as the last time Labour tried to get rid of hunting, we will endure.'

On Sunday night, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage wrote online: 'So now Labour wants to ban trail hunting. You might as well ban walking dogs in the countryside as they chase rabbits, hares, deer and foxes. Labour are authoritarian control freaks.'

The Animal Welfare Strategy will also ban snare traps because they can catch pets as well as causing suffering, and outlaw shooting hares during their breeding season.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it would 'end the cruel practice' of puppy farming and consider introducing licences for dog rescue and rehoming organisations. Electric shock dog collars could also be banned.

Defra also vowed to improve welfare on farms by 'moving away from confinement systems' for caged hens, and introducing 'humane slaughter requirements' for farmed fish.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: 'This government is delivering the most ambitious animal welfare strategy in a generation. Our strategy will raise welfare standards for animals in the home, on the farm and in the wild.'