Thousands across the Midlands push back against government trail hunting ban

THOUSANDS of people across the rural Midlands have expressed their dismay at the government’s controversial proposals to ban trail hunting, and have written to both the government and their MP to urge them to oppose the ban.

Rural people are taking a stand to oppose what many see as yet another attack on the countryside, and the Countryside Alliance is urging others in the Midlands to do the same.

The government is currently running a consultation on a ban on trail hunting, saying the nature of the sport makes it difficult to ensure wild animals are not placed in danger as a result of dogs picking up their scent, as opposed to the intended animal-based scent trail.

The consultation, which opened last month, is running until June 18.

The Countryside Alliance, working alongside the British Hound Sports Association as part of the Future for Hunting campaign, is urging people to respond to it before then.

Campaigners argue that the government should be focusing on real issues facing rural communities, not pursuing “toxic culture wars”.

Tim Bonner, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance, warned that the government faced alienating the countryside.

He said: “At a time when the countryside is on its knees as a result of misguided government policies and a cost of living crisis heightened by war, the government has again chosen to attack rural communities with another assault on rural life. A ban on trail hunting is unnecessary, unjustified and unfair.

“This is nothing more than the government attempting to distract from the real problems facing British people. Voters care about the countryside, the food on their table and cheaper energy bills; not toxic culture wars.”

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman, who leads on hunting for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, has previously said he believes trail hunting is providing a smokescreen.

He said: “It gives people the opportunity to carry on hunting – as they always said they would when the ban came in 20 years ago.

“We want alternative practices such as drag hunting and clean‑boot hunting, which use non‑animal scents, to continue to thrive.

“We recognise that hunts can support jobs and local businesses, and bring people together across the countryside. We are committed to ensuring that responsible rural pursuits, where there is no risk to our precious wildlife, can continue.”