The Countryside Alliance is delighted to bring you an update from Sir Ben Wallace, chairman of the Campaign for Future Hunting, which you can read below. We encourage you to share Ben's message with all those who care about the countryside and the future of hunting.

Dear Supporter,

I had hoped that this letter could simply wish you all the best for Christmas and Boxing Day, but this government, demonstrating yet again its poor grasp of timing, has chosen the week before Christmas to launch its Animal Welfare Strategy. Usually this is a time for Ministers to sneak out unpopular policies and uncomfortable announcements because they hope people are distracted in the run-up to the 25th December. Most MPs will be on holiday, not in studios. But at least we now know that 2026 will be the year Labour have chosen to not only try to impose a ban on trail hunting, but to also launch another assault on farming.

In the space of a year, Ministers have gone after farmers’ inheritance relief, taxed our rural pubs with greater National Insurance and increased business rates, and scrapped with no notice the Sustainable Farming Incentive Scheme. Shooters are also now facing an extra layer of licensing bureaucracy and cost. If this isn't enough, this week’s launch of the Animal Welfare Strategy will attempt to ban trail hunting (and the £100m spent in the rural economy with it), as well as introduce measures that will disadvantage UK pig and chicken farmers.

All in all, our rural way of life is under attack by a government that seems to think banning our sport is a priority, not the cost of living or the economy. Sadly, we also now have some police leaders who clearly think tackling rural crime, such as burglaries or fly-tipping, is secondary to harassing hunts going about their lawful business.

According to recent statistics, an increasing amount of rural crime is committed by organised crime groups. That should be the focus, as should the behaviour of many of the masked hunt saboteurs who routinely use intimidation and trespass to prosecute a campaign of hate. So, we have a fight on our hands, and we are going to need all the help you can give, please.

What does all this mean for us and our supporters?

Firstly, we must unite across the countryside to make the government hear our concerns. I ask that over the next few weeks you make every effort to reach out to others in the community to build a strong alliance. If we can get farmers, shooters, hunts, fishermen and rural businesses to come together to speak with one voice, we have a chance. It is in the interest of the NFU, BASC, CLA, BHA and other organisations to work together to lobby local MPs and police, ensuring they know that we as a rural community oppose all these steps. That enough is enough.

Secondly, please understand that despite their unpopularity, the Labour Government isn’t going anywhere for the next three years. They have a huge majority, and we have to find a way to ensure that hunts and their infrastructure are still in place by the time of the next election in 2029. What political parties put in their manifesto at that election is for them to decide at a later stage. We need to face each battle as it comes. Be wary of those who promise martyrdom and militance as the way forward – that will only invite the harshest measures from Whitehall. We owe it to future generations to try and preserve what we have, and all of us should remember that there are 500 jobs directly linked to hunting. Five hundred families and livelihoods.

Thirdly, let us remember that we are “on parade” over Boxing Day. Thousands of people who don’t usually follow come and enjoy the tradition and ritual that is such a part of the fabric of this country. It is a chance to let people know what trail hunting is and for us all to demonstrate that we are the “good guys” while the masked sabs are the extremists.

How the campaign is being run

If you weren’t aware already, the campaign to stand up to the government’s plans is an integrated effort between the BHSA (the governing body of hunting) and the Countryside Alliance. I chair the campaign, with the indomitable Sam Butler as deputy.

We have brought together a dynamic team of subject-matter experts drawn from both organisations, alongside specialists in law, public affairs, communications, policing, and the media. The team combines deep experience with energetic younger campaigners, giving us the breadth and capability we need for the months ahead.

We would also encourage supporters to sign up to the Countryside Alliance’s Action for Hunting campaign. This helps us build a clearer picture of national support, strengthens our evidence base, and ensures people receive timely updates on campaign activity and opportunities to take part. You can sign up here.

Details regarding fundraising will follow in the New Year.

But if you remember anything from my letter, remember this:

1. Hunting puts at least £100m into the rural economy every year. There are 500 direct jobs attached to hunts.
2. After 20 years and a quarter of a million days’ hunting, there have been fewer than 50 convictions under the Hunting Act in relation to registered packs of hounds. The data simply doesn’t support the antis’ claims.
3. The government should focus on the economy and cost of living. The police should focus on rural burglaries, county lines and fly-tipping, not pursuing people conducting lawful trail hunting.

May I wish you a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year on behalf of all of us on the Campaign Team.

Yours sincerely,

Ben Wallace

A PDF version of the full letter can be downloaded here.