Rural community urged to act as Labour pledges trail-hunting ban

The Countryside Alliance said it is vital people sign up to support trail-hunting before the election

- BECKY MURRAY

CALLS have been made for the rural community to "take action for hunting" by lobbying MPs and demonstrating that the sport is a "well-regulated activity" following the Labour party's pledge for a full ban.

MP Steve Reed, the shadow secretary of state for environment, food, and rural affairs, told The Times that there are "loopholes" in the current legislation, and a ban on trail and drag hunting "is something we'll do in the first term of a Labour government". Mr Reed said polls show three quarters of rural voters support a ban. It is likely a general election will be held this year.

A spokesman for Mr Reed confirmed to H&H that he stood by these comments.

The poll referred to was commissioned by the League Against Cruel Sports in 2022.

Oliver Hughes, managing director of governing body the British Hound Sports Association, told H&H there are about 12,000 days of trailhunting in England and Wales each year, "the vast majority taking place without problems".

"It simply isn't true that rural voters want to ban trailhunting. On the contrary, trailhunting enjoys widespread popular support. You only have to look back to the Boxing Day meets to see the tens of thousands of people that turned out to support these, as they always do," he said.