Thousands of people have responded to the Government’s consultation on a proposed ban on trail hunting, with campaign groups claiming more than 91,000 submissions were made in opposition to the plans.
The consultation, launched by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), closed last week following a 12-week response period. Rural organisations, including the Countryside Alliance, have described the response as one of the largest ever received by Defra on a countryside-related issue.
According to the Countryside Alliance, organisations including the Jockey Club, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), the Farmers Union of Wales and representatives from veterinary and farriery sectors also submitted responses to the consultation.
The proposed legislation would prohibit trail hunting, a practice introduced following the Hunting Act 2004. Trail hunting involves hounds following a pre-laid scent trail and is widely used by hunts as a legal alternative to traditional fox hunting.
The issue remains highly divisive, with supporters arguing trail hunting plays an important role in maintaining rural traditions, employment and countryside management. Opponents of the activity have long argued that trail hunting can be used as a cover for illegal hunting and have called for stronger legislation.
The consultation has become the latest flashpoint in wider debates around rural policy, with campaign groups linking the proposed ban to other recent Government measures affecting farming and countryside businesses.
Ahead of the consultation deadline, protesters gathered outside Defra’s Westminster offices to demonstrate against the proposed legislation, carrying banners and calling for greater recognition of rural concerns.
Tim Bonner, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance, said the response demonstrated strong opposition among many rural communities and urged the Government to reconsider its approach to countryside policy.
“At the 2024 General Election, many rural voters gave Labour the benefit of the doubt and lent their support to Keir Starmer – the result was a record number of rural Labour seats. But within months, that new hope was crushed by a barrage of anti-rural government policies, such as the Family Farm Tax, attacks on game shooting, and the proposed ban on trail hunting.
“It’s not too late to reset the relationship, however. By stopping the toxic culture war on the countryside, putting an end to the prejudiced and unjustified attacks on the rural way of life, and legislating for rural communities, not against them, the ‘bond of respect’ that Starmer once promised to renew between government and countryside, can perhaps be restored.”
A formal Government response to the consultation is expected in the coming weeks. Defra will review submissions before deciding whether to proceed with legislation banning trail hunting.
The outcome could have significant implications for hunts, landowners, participants and rural businesses across England and Wales.
What Happens Next?
Following the close of the consultation, Defra will analyse the responses received before publishing its conclusions. If the Government decides to move forward with a ban, draft legislation would need to pass through Parliament before becoming law.
The consultation outcome is being closely watched by rural organisations, hunting groups, animal welfare charities and equestrian stakeholders, with the issue likely to remain a prominent countryside debate throughout 2026.
