The commitment to ban trail hunting was first outlined in the government’s manifesto and has since been reinforced in its more recent animal welfare strategy. This follows ongoing pressure from animal rights campaigners and concerns raised by some groups about how the law is being applied in practice.

However, many in the countryside believe this proposal is based on a misunderstanding of how trail hunting operates and risks penalising lawful, regulated activity without properly considering the evidence or the wider rural impact.

The Countryside Alliance opposes a ban on trail hunting. We believe it would be a disproportionate and unnecessary step that threatens lawful rural activities, jobs and traditions.

As the government’s own consultation recognises, trail hunting is “an alternative to hunting wild mammals” and has “grown in popularity following the enactment of the Hunting Act 2004”. If a wild mammal is involved, then it is not trail hunting and any offence is already covered by existing legislation.

Trail hunting is a legal activity that involves laying a scent trail for hounds to follow, without any live animal being hunted. It was developed following the Hunting Act 2004 as a way for hunts to continue exercising hounds and maintaining traditional practices within the law.

Participants follow a pre-laid trail across the countryside while watching the hounds work out where the scent has been laid. It supports a range of rural jobs and activities, including those involved in land management, equine work and countryside stewardship.

This is a decision that will have real consequences for the countryside. Consultations are a formal part of how the government makes policy and the strength and volume of responses matter. If those who understand rural life don’t speak up, their voices risk being ignored.

We’ve made it as simple as possible. Our tool allows you to send a response directly to the team at Defra working on the consultation in just a couple of minutes. 

If you haven't submitted a response already, you can do so here. 

Yes. This isn’t just about hunting, it’s about how decisions are made that affect rural communities, jobs and the rural way of life. You don’t have to be directly involved to recognise the wider impact these proposals could have.

Yes. Your response will be copied to your MP, and although the proposed ban relates to England and Wales, MPs from across the UK will have a say when it comes before Parliament.

That makes it important that your MP understands the strength of feeling on this issue, wherever you live in the UK.

We campaign to ensure rural voices are heard in national decision-making. This consultation is a key moment for the trail hunting community and it’s vital that the government understands the real-world impact of its proposals from those who live and work in the countryside.

Your e-lobby response will also be copied to your MP. As they will have a vote on this issue should it come before parliament, it is important to understand the strength of feeling in their own constituency from those who oppose a ban.

Absolutely, and we encourage you to do so. The more people who respond, the stronger the message to the government. Please share this page with anyone who cares about the countryside.

The government will review all responses before deciding how to proceed. This will inform the next steps, which could include changes to legislation. That’s why it’s so important to take part now before decisions are finalised.

No. Each email address can only be used to submit one response. This is a system requirement to ensure responses are properly recorded and verified.

If more than one person in a household wants to take part, they will need to use separate email addresses.

Alternatively, each additional individual can print off a PDF of the response and send that by email to TrailHuntingConsultation@defra.gov.uk. Please contact hunting@countryside-alliance.org to request a copy of the printable PDF.

Please use this subject line in your correspondence – Personal consultation response to oppose trail hunting ban. You must include your name and address, including postcode, with your response.

If you wish to copy your MP into your response, you can search for their contact details using your postcode here. If you receive a response from your MP, please share details with us via email to political@countryside-alliance.org

The e-lobby consultation response tool only allows one response per email address. This is to ensure the process is fair, consistent and that each submission can be properly verified and counted. Alternatively, separate postal or email submissions can be made.

Postal submissions, which must include your full name and postal address, including postcode, should be sent to – The Trail Hunting Team, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 2 Marsham Street, First Floor, Seacole Building, London, SW1P 4DF.

Those who wish to add further information subsequent to sending in their e-lobby submission can email TrailHuntingConsultation@defra.gov.uk directly, advising them that you wish to make a supplementary submission in relation to your original personal response.

If you want to share your views in more detail, we suggest you email TrailHuntingConsultation@defra.gov.uk directly.