In a move stirring fierce debate across the British countryside, the UK government has announced it will ban trail hunting in England and Wales, aiming to close what officials call a "smokescreen" for the illegal hunting of wild animals. The announcement, made on December 21, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s animal welfare policy and is set to reshape both rural traditions and local economies.
Trail hunting, a practice introduced after the 2004 Hunting Act banned the use of dogs to hunt wild mammals, involves laying an animal-based scent trail—often using fox urine or a rag soaked in animal scent—for hounds to follow. Hunters on horseback then pursue the pack, mimicking the spectacle of traditional fox hunting but, in theory, without the pursuit or killing of live animals. Since its inception, trail hunting has remained legal because it does not explicitly involve the killing of animals. However, critics have long argued that the activity is used as a loophole to continue illegal hunting under the guise of legality.
The government’s decision to outlaw trail hunting comes as part of a broader animal welfare strategy, fulfilling a manifesto pledge to strengthen wildlife protection. Baroness Hayman, the minister for animal welfare, stated, “In our manifesto we said we would ban trail hunting, and that's exactly what we'll do. There are concerns that trail hunting is being used a smokescreen for the hunting of wild animals, and that's not acceptable.” She added that ministers are “working out the best approach to take the ban forward and will run a consultation to seek views in the new year.”
According to The Independent, the move is intended to prevent trail hunting from being used as a cover for illegal foxhunting—a claim bolstered by video evidence and reports from anti-hunting groups. For instance, Protect the Wild reported that nearly 600 wild animals were chased or killed during the 2023-24 winter season. Drone footage from Northants Hunt Saboteurs even appeared to show a huntsman concealing what was alleged to be a fox killed by hounds, though the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) said the footage was too unclear to verify. The League Against Cruel Sports also recorded nearly 1,600 hunting-related incidents, including 397 reports of foxes being chased in the last season, according to the BBC.
For many in rural communities, however, the ban represents a direct threat to both tradition and livelihood. Trail hunting events are more than just sporting fixtures; they are social and economic lifelines. The British Hound Sports Association has stressed that trail hunts are “vital” to rural communities, providing income to local businesses and supporting mental and physical wellbeing. “Trail hunting remains lawful, and we do not accept the premise that it should be banned. It supports livelihoods, keeps small rural businesses going and holds communities together, with well over ten thousand hounds and many thousands of horses kept specifically for this lawful purpose. This is more than a pastime – it is part of the economic and social lifeblood of the countryside,” a BHSA spokesperson told The Independent.
Opponents of the ban argue that it is an unnecessary and politically motivated attack on rural Britain. Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, was blunt in his criticism: “It is unbelievable that the government wants to waste more parliamentary time on hunting. This issue was settled 20 years ago as far as Labour was concerned but it does not seem to be able to leave it alone.” He further commented, “People across the countryside will be shocked that after Labour's attack on family farms and its neglect of rural communities it thinks banning trail hunting and snares used for fox control are a political priority.” Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake echoed these sentiments, calling the ban an “attack on rural Britain and British culture,” while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage labeled Labour as “authoritarian control freaks.”
For some, the cultural implications of the ban run deep. Hunting with hounds has been part of British rural life for centuries, and the 170 hunt packs currently operating in England and Wales now face an uncertain future. Some hunts are reportedly considering joining drag hunts, where no animals are chased and only artificial scents are used, as a way to adapt to the new legal landscape. Yet there are concerns from the Hunt Saboteurs Association that retraining hounds to avoid picking up fox scent may prove difficult, and that some unregistered, farmer-led hunts may “go underground” and continue illegal hunting in defiance of the law.
There are also practical steps being taken within the hunting community to address public concerns. Earlier this week, the BHSA ordered that terrier men—who traditionally block up earth holes to prevent foxes from escaping during a chase—must not attend trail hunting days, a move interpreted as a last-ditch effort to improve the image of hunting and comply with evolving regulations.
From an economic standpoint, the ban could have significant consequences for rural areas that depend on hunting-related tourism and associated industries. Equestrian tourism, hospitality, and small businesses all stand to lose a vital revenue stream, particularly during the hunting season when Boxing Day meets and other events draw large crowds. According to Meyka, local economies may be forced to innovate or diversify to compensate for these losses, potentially leading to new forms of rural enterprise but also uncertainty for those whose livelihoods are closely tied to the hunting tradition.
As the government prepares to launch a public consultation in early 2026, all sides are bracing for what could be a protracted and contentious debate. While animal welfare advocates celebrate the announcement as a long-overdue measure to close loopholes and end what they see as “savage cruelty,” rural communities and hunting supporters warn of the risks to tradition, culture, and economic stability. The outcome of the consultation will determine not only the future of trail hunting in England and Wales but also set a precedent for how the UK balances animal welfare with rural heritage and economic necessity.
For now, trail hunting remains legal until the details of the ban are finalized. But with passions running high and the stakes considerable for both wildlife and countryside communities, the coming months promise to be a defining chapter in the country’s ongoing struggle to reconcile its past with its evolving values.
