POLL OF THE DAY: Are Labour right to want to ban 'trail hunting' in the countryside in Britain? - YOUR VERDICT

'It would stop our community being able to come together!'

GB News
GB News Reporter

By GB News Reporter


Published: 26/12/2024

- 05:36

Updated: 26/12/2024

- 18:09

The Government is under pressure to ban trail hunting in the countryside

The Government is under pressure over its manifesto pledge to ban trail hunting as hunters gather for the traditional Boxing Day meeting.

Anti-hunting campaigners are urging them to deliver on the promise to ban trail hunting – a practice in which a scent is laid across the countryside for hounds and riders to follow as an alternative to banned fox hunting, but which has been criticised as a “smokescreen” for illegal activity.


Fox huntingThe MoD had dished out 23 licences for both trail hunting across the last seasonPA

It comes as the League Against Cruel Sports (Lacs), the animal welfare charity that was the driving force behind the original ban, says its data evidences how stronger legislation is required to close loopholes and prohibit trail hunting.

The charity highlighted 553 cases of what it terms “hunt havoc”, disruptive or antisocial behaviour affecting rural communities, which may include trespassing on farmland and worrying livestock, hunt hounds being loose on roads and attacks on domestic animals.

Acting chief executive of Lacs Chris Luffingham told The Guardian: "These figures show that the Boxing Day hunt parades are a charade, hiding a world of brutality that has never gone away in the 20 years since the Hunting Act was introduced.

"It’s time for change and for the government to urgently set out a timetable of measures to strengthen hunting laws and stop foxhunting once and for all."

\u200b Opposition from the West Cornwall Hunt Saboteurs

Opposition from the West Cornwall Hunt Saboteurs

Getty

A poll among 971 GB News members found that 82 per cent were against the hunt being banned while 18 per cent were in favour of it remaining legal.

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