Reform Party and the Conservative Party are under fire for their support of trail hunts during the Boxing Day events, with Nigel Farage and Tory MP Kevin Hollinrake attending a hunt despite ongoing concerns about the treatment of foxes by dogs at these gatherings. Trail hunting involves following a laid-out scent instead of hunting real animals, serving as a replacement for traditional fox hunting, which was outlawed by the Labour Party in 2004.
Labour has taken a strong stance against trail hunting as part of its Animal Welfare Strategy, aiming to enhance animal welfare standards for pets, farm animals, and wildlife. Critics argue that trail hunting is a cover-up for hunting wild animals and have long called for its abolition.
Labour MP Luke Charters MP criticized Reform and the Tories for prioritizing hunting activities over the interests of working people, accusing them of being out of touch with the public. Meanwhile, hunt supporters have rallied against the proposed ban on trail hunting, with many gathering to witness the Boxing Day hunts. The League Against Cruel Sports CEO, Emma Slawinksi, blamed trail hunting advocates for the impending ban, alleging that the practice is a facade for illegal hunting and has consistently violated wildlife protection laws.
As the debate over trail hunting intensifies, the Government’s decision to ban the practice is seen as a necessary step to safeguard wildlife and prevent the misuse of hunting activities.