Joyce calls for a ban on trail hunting on all publicly-owned land in Wales

A local Senedd member has called on the Welsh Government to ban trail hunting on all publicly-owned land in Wales

When fox hunting with dogs was banned in England and Wales, the 2004 Hunting Act allowed trail hunting to continue. 

Trail hunting replicates a traditional hunt, with people and hounds following a scent but without foxes being chased or killed. However, this has been used as an excuse for illegal fox hunting.

Joyce Watson MS has now called on the Welsh Government to work with authorities, organisations and landowners to ensure a ban on trail hunting on all publicly-owned land, including town centres where they traditionally meet for Boxing Day and New Year’s Day hunts.

Speaking in the Senedd, Labour MS for Mid and West Wales Joyce Watson said: 

“In October this year, Mark Hankinson, who was the director of Masters of Foxhounds Association, was convicted of encouraging illegal fox hunting.

“He was caught on camera advising hunts on how to break the 2004 Hunting Act.

“He exposed what many believe to be true of trail hunting, that it’s used as a smokescreen for illegal hunting.

“Since his conviction, I was pleased to see that a number of organisations, including Natural Resources Wales, and the National Trust, has since banned trail hunting on their land.

“Members of the National Trust voted overwhelmingly to support that ban.

“Cheshire West and Chester local authority are also set to follow suit.

“Trail hunting is also currently suspended on the Lake District National Park.

 “I’d like to call for a ban on trail hunting on all publicly-owned land.

“That includes town centres where many of the hunts have traditionally met for their Boxing Day and their New Year’s Day hunt.

“I would like to urge the Welsh Government to look and work closely with other authorities and organisations and landowners to make this a reality.

“It’s not just our wildlife that has suffered horrendously as a result of so-called trail hunting, but also dogs.

“Many are run over on busy roads during a hunt, or, as seen in recent footage, shot dead when they are no longer deemed useful.

“This, sadly, is not illegal, but nonetheless is barbaric.”

Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, responded:

“Thank you, I very much welcome the decision made by Natural Resources Wales on 18 November not to renew their agreement with the Masters of Foxhounds Association.

“And, as you say, the National Trust banned trail hunting on their land from 25 November.

“That decision was made in a public session, where careful consideration was made of all the issues involved following the outcome of the court case to which you refer against a senior leader of the Masters of Foxhounds Association.

“Your request around consideration of a ban of trail hunting on all public land is something that would need further consideration by the Welsh Government.”