20.01.25
A Clear Manifesto Commitment
During the last general election, the Government made a clear and welcome commitment in its manifesto. It promised to ban Trail Hunting. For many animal welfare organisations, including Naturewatch Foundation, this pledge represented a long-overdue step towards ending a practice that has repeatedly been shown to provide cover for illegal hunting.
Eighteen Months On: No Progress
Eighteen months on, that promise is still unfulfilled.
We were told that action would come in the New Year. That deadline has passed, yet there has been no announcement, no consultation, and no clear timetable for delivering the ban on trail hunting.
Ongoing Abuse of Trail Hunting
Meanwhile, almost daily evidence continues to mount that trail hunting is routinely abused, allowing the chasing and killing of wild mammals to persist under the pretext of legality.
Consultation Elsewhere, Silence on Trail Hunting
The Government has recently confirmed that it will launch two consultations into other important animal welfare issues. While these consultations are very welcome and reflect growing public concern for animal protection, their announcement only deepens the disappointment of those waiting for progress on trail hunting. Despite repeated assurances, the promised consultation has not yet been announced.
When There Is Political Will, Action Is Possible
This delay is particularly difficult to understand given how swiftly the Government has acted in other areas. When changes to the Public Order Act were considered necessary, a Statutory Instrument was introduced quickly and decisively. That speed shows that, where there is political will, legislative mechanisms already exist to act without prolonged delay. The same approach could and should be taken to strengthen the Hunting Act and close the loopholes that allow trail hunting to continue.
The Case for Action Is Clear
Naturewatch Foundation supports significant improvements in animal welfare across all areas, but it is impossible to ignore the continued silence on this issue. Enforcement bodies, courts, and animal welfare organisations have extensively scrutinised trail hunting. The case for action is clear, and public support for stronger protections for wildlife is well established.
Delay Means Continued Animal Suffering
Every week of delay allows animal suffering to continue and undermines confidence in political commitments made to voters. Manifesto promises matter, particularly when they concern preventing animal cruelty and upholding the rule of law.
A Call for Immediate Action
Naturewatch Foundation urges the Government to honour its commitment, announce the trail hunting consultation without further delay, and take decisive action, just as it has done elsewhere.
