Thank you for contacting me trail hunting on National Trust land.
The National Trust is an independent charity so the issue of what activities it permits on its land, provided they are lawful, is not a matter for the Government.
Since the introduction of the Hunting Act 2004 many hunts have turned to trail hunting as an alternative to live quarry hunting. This involves following an artificially laid scent. It mimics the hunting that took place before the ban, but does not involve hunting an animal quarry, so does not give rise to animal welfare concerns and is entirely legal.
You will be pleased to hear that Ministers are cementing the UK's position as a global leader on animal welfare. The draft Animal Welfare (Sentencing and Recognition of Sentience) Bill sets out that the Government "must have regard to the welfare needs of animals as sentient beings in formulating and implementing government policy". It is also proposed to increase the sentences available to the courts in the most severe cases of animal cruelty to up to five years' imprisonment.
Other recent steps include announcing plans to make CCTV mandatory in all abattoirs to ensure animals are treated humanely at the end of their lives, banning microbeads that can harm marine life and introducing Europe's most comprehensive ban on the ivory trade, to protect the lives of endangered African elephants.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
