Overview
- Defra says the government is committed to outlawing trail hunting, arguing the activity is too often used as a cover for illegal fox hunting and has strong public support.
- A public consultation on how to implement the ban will begin in early 2026, and some outlets report the legal changes could come into force by 2029.
- Tens of thousands turned out for meets across England and Wales, as hunt leaders vowed to resist the proposal, with the Duke of Beaufort Hunt warning the fight will "get messy."
- The Countryside Alliance highlights ORB polling showing 65% of voters think Labour neglects rural communities, 36% say it cares about countryside residents, and 76% believe ministers prioritise urban issues.
- Supporters say hunts contribute more than £100m a year to the rural economy and embody rural culture, while ministers point to a recent rise in the inheritance-tax threshold for farms as part of broader outreach.