Trail-hunting

Earl of Leicester Excerpts

Wednesday 18th March 2026 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[The Earl of Leicester]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the contribution of trail hunting to the rural economy.

[The Earl of Leicester (Con)]

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper. In doing so, I refer the House to my interests as a landowner in Norfolk, over which trail-hunting has always taken place legally This includes the Nar Valley Bloodhounds, who come and play “hunt the host”.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Baroness Hayman of Ullock) (Lab)]

My Lords, the Government are committed to enacting a ban on trail-hunting, in line with our manifesto commitment, and will shortly be launching a consultation to seek views on how to deliver an effective, enforceable ban. The responses to that consultation will be used to inform our assessment of the potential impact of a ban on trail-hunting on the rural economy.

[The Earl of Leicester (Con)]

I thank the Minister for her response and I hope that the consultation will be a fair one. The Hunting Act was the result of 700 hours of debate, and it was what hunting opponents wanted. Hunts adapted and adopted trail-hunting, which is what supporters of the ban said that they should do. A recent socioeconomic survey stated that hunting contributes £100 million to the rural economy each year. A Countryside Alliance survey found that 97% of hunting participants believe the activity to benefit their physical and mental health. A ban on trail-hunting therefore runs contrary to the Government’s missions to promote economic growth and improve health outcomes. Surely further legislation targeting trail-hunting—

[Noble Lords]

Question!

[The Earl of Leicester (Con)]

My Lords, I am sorry—this is my first and last Oral Question, if the House will allow me some forbearance. As I was saying, further legislation is not necessary and it should not be a priority for the Government. It would represent yet another attack on the countryside and the many thousands for whom hunts are an integral part of rural life.