Overview
- Tens of thousands attended about 200 meets across England and Wales on 26 December, with hunt leaders vowing to "fight" any ban.
- The government’s animal welfare strategy confirms an intention to prohibit trail hunting, with a public consultation due in early 2026.
- Defra contends trail hunting is frequently used to mask illegal foxhunting and says the move has strong public support.
- The Countryside Alliance accuses Labour of alienating rural communities, cites more than £100 million in annual economic impact, and points to ORB polling showing 65% believe rural areas are overlooked.
- Ministers raised the individual farm inheritance tax threshold to £2.5 million after criticism, and trail hunting remains legal in England and Wales until any new law takes effect.