TRAIL hunting is set to be banned in England and Wales, the government has announced, adding that it is doing so to deliver a key Labour manifesto commitment.

It also announced that a public consultation opened on Thursday, March 26, on how to take the ban forward.

Trail hunting is where hounds follow a pre-laid animal-based scent across the countryside, mimicking traditional hunting.

It became popular in the UK after the Hunting Act 2004 became law, as an alternative to traditional fox hunting.

DEFRA, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said this can result in wild animals, including foxes and hares, being injured or killed by dogs, as well as household pets in some cases.

It adds that the nature of trail hunting makes it difficult to ensure wild animals are not placed in danger as a result of dogs picking up their scent, as opposed to the intended animal-based scent trail.

Also, DEFRA says concerns also persist around whether trail hunting is being used by some as a “smokescreen” to facilitate illegal hunting with dogs.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman, who leads on hunting for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, has previously said he believes trail hunting is providing a smokescreen and it “gives people the opportunity to carry on hunting – as they always said they would when the ban came in 20 years ago”.

He continued: “We want alternative practices such as drag hunting and clean‑boot hunting, which use non‑animal scents, to continue to thrive.

“We recognise that hunts can support jobs and local businesses, and bring people together across the countryside.

“We are committed to ensuring that responsible rural pursuits, where there is no risk to our precious wildlife, can continue.”

Baroness Sue Hayman, Animal Welfare Minister, said: “We pledged to ban trail hunting in our manifesto and that is exactly what we intend to do.

“The nature of trail hunting makes it difficult to ensure wild and domestic animals are not put at risk of being killed or injured - that is clearly unacceptable.

“We understand that this is a complex issue and so we are seeking views from everyone with an interest to help shape how we bring this forward.”

The consultation will run until June 18.

The Countryside Alliance, which campaigns on rural issues, said that a ban would risk jobs and affect local businesses supported by hunting and its associated activities.

It estimated that countryside hunts bring £100m to the rural economy every year.

Tim Bonner, the Alliance's chief executive, said the government was attacking rural communities with "another assault on rural life".

"A ban on trail hunting is unnecessary, unjustified and unfair," he said.

"If the government continues down this path, it will do nothing but confirm to rural people that Labour has warped priorities and a fundamental dislike of the countryside."

Have your say at: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/defra/trail-hunting-consultation/

You can also write a letter to share your views to: [email protected]

Please include your name, address and a daytime telephone number.