Traditional Boxing Day hunts across large parts of the UK have been cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions, with those going ahead elsewhere not parading through town centres prior to their yuletide meet this year for the first time in recent history.
The centuries-old activity faces an uncertain future after a number of landowners suspended hunting with hounds on their property amid controversy over private video seminars held this summer by hunting’s executive body, which were infiltrated by activist group the Hunt Saboteurs who claimed they discussed how to create a “smokescreen” for illegal hunting.
Forestry England, the National Trust, the Lake District national park, United Utilities, Natural Resources Wales and the Malvern Hills Trust all prohibited trail hunting after police launched an investigation into the footage after the revelations by ITV and the Times.
Peterborough city council also banned hunting with hounds on its land in a symbolic vote, despite the Countryside Alliance warning it would set “a dangerous precedent” that could help trigger a domino effect imperilling “large numbers of hunts”.
The decision came after Nottingham county council made a similar decision last year, with Cheshire West and Chester council’s executive under pressure to follow suit, while the owner of clothing retailer H&M barred hunts from his 19,000 acres of land across Wiltshire, Berkshire and Hampshire after allegations were made recently about the local hunt.
The Ministry of Defence, Duchy of Cornwall, Church of England, the crown estate and other councils have stopped short of stopping hunting on their land but have faced calls to do so from animal welfare groups.
Labour has also recently raised the issue in the House of Commons, calling for the 2004 Hunting Act to be tightened to remove loopholes, but the government said it was satisfied the legislation was strong enough.
Trail hunting is a legal activity invented after pursuing hounds for bloodsport was made illegal. It involves following a scent along a pre-determined route with dogs to replicate a hunt, but campaigners maintain it provides cover for foxhunting.
Amid disruption caused by coronavirus restrictions, hunts in tier-4 England, Scotland, Wales and elsewhere will not be out at all on Saturday, while there is no exemption being made for spectators of the sport where it is going ahead.
Foxhunting was provided an exemption under the rule of six regulations, but four weeks of the season was lost in November in England alone due to the nationwide lockdown.
Chris Luffingham, director of campaigns at the League Against Cruel Sports, said there was continued evidence of hunts pursuing foxes for sport, and referenced recent kills – although these may not have necessarily been illegal.
“Our campaign to deny public land to hunts to prevent them chasing and killing foxes is gathering momentum as a result of the release of the Hunting Office webinars and police investigation into the hunts’ comments,” he said.
“We look forward now to other councils tackling the scourge of trail hunting – a smokescreen for the barbaric blood sport of foxhunting – and banning it on their land.”
Polly Portwin, head of hunting at campaigning organisation the Countryside Alliance, said: “When the decision was made to move traditional meets away from public areas, the rate of infection of the coronavirus was much reduced and it was hoped that every hunt would still be able to conduct their activities in the usual way, just without the prolonged and popular gatherings before hunting commenced.
“The situation continues to evolve and these are difficult times for so many people who have lost loved ones, are missing seeing their families and worrying about their businesses.
“Some hunts will not be able to take part in any hunting activities over the festive period, however where people are still able to participate, hunting will provide them with an opportunity to enjoy the countryside in a safe and healthy outdoor environment which benefits both their physical and mental health.”
A spokesman for the Hunting Office, the executive body, has said previously: “The purpose of the webinars was to facilitate legal hunting and any allegation that they were organised for any other purpose is incorrect. We will cooperate fully with the police and welcome the opportunity to clarify the situation.
“We understand that although the decisions taken will be difficult for those packs affected, there has only been one pack granted a licence so far this season by the National Trust and a small number of hunts that meet on land owned by the Forestry Commission and United Utilities, so it won’t impact the majority of over 200 trail hunts that operate in England.”
