No evidence of harm to wildlife in trail hunting - Claire Wright
The UK Government has committed in its manifesto to banning trail hunting and plans to launch a public consultation in 2026.
This pledge was reinforced in Defra’s Animal Welfare Strategy, published on December 22 2025.
The CLA does not believe there is credible evidence that trail hunting, when conducted lawfully, causes harm to wildlife or animal welfare.
We also believe that there are more important issues in the rural economy that government should be focusing on.
Where allegations of illegal activity arise, the appropriate response is proper enforcement of the law, not the prohibition of a lawful activity on which many rural livelihoods depend and that many people enjoy.
Any proposed legislative change should be evidence-led and based on a proportionate assessment of risk, rather than assumption or ideology.
With limited parliamentary time available, the CLA is concerned that measures of this kind risk becoming symbolic rather than effective, and that the government could better direct its efforts towards supporting rural businesses and addressing serious criminality.
There have been numerous convictions under the Hunting Act 2004, proving that the existing law is working. Regulated trail hunts should not all be tarred with the same brush.
The CLA provides guidance to its members explaining what is legal, exempt and illegal under the act. It also addresses a key concern among members; potential liability when consent is given for hunting activity.
In 2023, two landowners were charged under Section 3 of the act – ‘knowingly permitting land to be used for illegal hunting.’
Although the case was dismissed, we have strengthened advice around landowner consent to help avoid similar situations.
Beyond the legal framework, our guidance explores practical considerations when allowing a pack of hounds onto your land.
Topics include your duty of care to participants, managing public rights of way, dealing with hunt saboteurs, protecting scheduled monuments, and responding to trespass incidents when consent was not granted.
The CLA influences government policy at local and national level by arguing our members’ case from a strong base of evidence, informing key decision-makers and opinion-formers of our members’ needs.
CLA experts represent the interests of members at all stages in policy development and legislative process and regularly succeed in effecting significant change.
Claire Wright is CLA National Access Adviser.