Trail hunting is set to be banned amid concerns the practice is used as a ‘smokescreen’ for illegal fox hunting
Fionnula Hainey National Editor
16:46, 26 Mar 2026
The government has moved a step closer to banning trail hunting (Image: Barry Batchelor / PA )
The government has confirmed its intentions to ban trail hunting over concerns it is being used as a ‘smokescreen’ for illegal fox hunting practices.
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Fox hunting was banned more than 20 years ago in the UK when the Hunting Act 2004 became law, but concerns remain that animals are still being harmed.
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The Labour government pledged to ban trail hunting in its election manifesto and today confirmed that a consultation has been opened to decide how the new legislation will be delivered.
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Trail hunting involves hounds following a pre-laid animal-based scent across the countryside, mimicking traditional hunts. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) said the practice became popular as an alternative to fox hunting after the 2005 ban came into force.
However, the practice has been criticised for harming wild animals, including foxes and hares, as well as household pets, who may be attacked by dogs during trail hunts. Defra said the nature of trail hunting makes it difficult to ensure that the dogs pick up the intended scent trail and not that of other animals.