Controversy Over Trail Hunting Ban and Rural Policy Criticisms in England
On Boxing Day, hunts took place across England, including an event featuring the Old Surrey, Burstow and West Kent Hunt in Kent. The UK government’s animal welfare strategy, published on Monday, includes provisions to ban trail hunting, a practice that follows a scent trail rather than a live animal, originally introduced to comply with the Hunting Act 2004. A consultation on how to implement the proposed ban will be launched in early 2026.
The Countryside Alliance criticized the Labour government, accusing it of alienating rural communities by focusing on policies such as taxing family farms and banning trail hunting rather than on benefits for rural areas. Tensions around rural policy were further highlighted by recent changes in inheritance tax thresholds for farms. The government initially proposed lower thresholds but partially reversed course, raising the threshold from £1m to £2.5m, meaning couples with estates up to £5m will pay no inheritance tax.
An ORB poll conducted online between 12 and 14 December among 2,083 adults found that 65% of Britons believe the Labour government neglects rural areas. Only 36% thought the government cares about people in the countryside, while 76% felt urban issues receive more prioritization than rural concerns.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs emphasized the government’s commitment to banning trail hunting, citing public support and noting that the move builds on earlier reforms like granting police greater powers to prevent dog attacks on livestock.
Nigel Farage attended a hunt in Kent and criticized the government for being ignorant of rural communities. Meanwhile, Emma Slawinski from the League Against Cruel Sports argued that banning trail hunting targets existing loopholes rather than attacking rural traditions and noted that rural issues may have increasing influence on voter behavior according to poll results.
