Government consults on proposals to prohibit trail hunting in England and Wales

The UK Government has opened a public consultation on proposals to prohibit trail hunting across England and Wales, signalling a potential major shift in rural and wildlife legislation. The consultation, published by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), will remain open until 11:59pm on 18 June 2026.

Trail hunting, which involves hounds following an artificially laid scent rather than a live animal, has been permitted since the introduction of the Hunting Act 2004. However, the practice has long been criticised by animal welfare organisations, who argue that it can be used as a cover for illegal fox hunting. The government’s proposals seek to address these concerns by introducing a full prohibition.

The consultation invites views on how a ban should be defined and implemented, including the legal definition of trail hunting, the use of animal-based scents, and whether additional legislative changes are required to ensure enforceability. Defra is also seeking evidence on the potential impact of a ban on other equestrian or countryside activities, as well as the implications for dogs currently trained for trail hunting.

Responses are being welcomed from members of the public, landowners, hunt organisers, conservation bodies, animal welfare groups, local authorities, businesses and any other interested parties. The government states that the consultation aims to gather a broad range of perspectives before deciding on next steps.

Submissions must be made through the dedicated Defra consultation platform before the June deadline.