Proposed legislation to ban trail hunting under the current Labour government could place up to 1,000 jobs at risk, including those within our trade.
The policy, which would prohibit the use of pre-laid scent trails followed by hounds, has raised concerns across the rural sector about its potential economic impact. There are approximately 300 registered packs of hounds across England and Wales, each employing huntsmen and kennel staff, alongside supporting a wider network of rural services.
Industry figures warn that the removal of trail hunting could lead to job losses within hunts themselves, while also affecting associated trades and decreasing rural hunting retail footfall. Estimates from the British Hound Sports Association suggest that trail hunting contributes around £100 million annually to the rural economy.
Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner told The Telegraph that between 750 and 1,000 jobs could be lost if the ban is implemented.
He said that most established hunts employ two to three staff responsible for managing hounds and horses, as well as carrying out hunting activities, adding that the potential loss of these roles would have a significant impact on individuals and rural communities.
Concerns have also been raised about the future of hounds currently used within trail hunting, with uncertainty over how they would be rehomed or managed if hunts were forced to close.
Trail hunting became widely adopted following the Hunting Act 2004, which prohibited the hunting of wild mammals with dogs. The current proposal would extend restrictions further, targeting the practice of following artificially laid trails.
The government has indicated that alternative activities such as drag hunting and clean boot hunting are expected to remain permissible under the proposed framework.
A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs said the government remains committed to introducing the ban, citing concerns over how trail hunting is currently practised, while acknowledging the need to consult with stakeholders as the policy develops.