National Trust could vote to ban trail-hunting on its land

The National Trust has allowed trail-hunting – in which hounds and riders follow a scent path rather than a fox – since foxhunting was banned in 2005. Photograph: Alamy

The National Trust could ban “trail-hunting” on its land when members vote on the hugely divisive issue next month.

The charity has granted licences for the practice – in which hounds and riders follow a scent path laid earlier – since foxhunting was outlawed in 2005, but critics say it is often used as a cover for illegal hunts.

This year’s AGM, to be held on 30 October, is the first chance for the trust’s 5.6 million members to vote on it since 2017, when the board used discretionary proxy votes to defeat a motion calling for a ban. Accusations of unfairness followed, with members who supported the ban claiming those in favour had used “dirty tricks” to vote down the motion.

The debate is set to be just as polarising this time around, with the new ballot asking for a permanent ban on trail-hunting to prevent “potential illegal activity”.

The motion’s supporting statement reads: “Supporters of this resolution believe evidence comprehensively shows that illegal hunting continues to take place under the guise of ‘trail hunting’ by hunts who also carry out activities on National Trust land.

“In addition, a number of hunts have had their licences suspended or revoked following complaints to the National Trust about their activities. This includes allegations of foxes being hunted or chased by hounds, foxes being killed by hounds and antisocial behaviour.”

Supporters of a ban cite complaints against various hunts, including the north Midlands and south-east of England, as having breached their trail-hunting licences with the National Trust.

But hunters say trail-hunting is legal, with no harm caused to animals. In response to the motion, the trust’s board of trustees said: “We do not allow illegal activity on our land and we respond to any reports of such activity.

“However, trail hunting, using an artificial scent rather than hunting a live animal, is legal and one of many activities that are sometimes licensed on National Trust land.” They added that they “note the resolution and are keen to hear the views of the membership” on the matter.

A permanent ban is supported by the League Against Cruel Sports, while the Countryside Alliance has called on its members to reject the motion.

Last year, the National Trust was among several landowners to suspend trail-hunting on their land while police investigated claims that hunt organisers planned to kill foxes. A spokesperson for the trust said: “We paused trail-hunting on National Trust land last year following leaked Hunting Office webinars and a resultant police investigation.

“We’ve been listening carefully to both sides of a highly polarised and passionate debate around trail hunting and will be considering a number of issues before reviewing our position on trail hunting later this year. This means we will not be operating the usual licence application process during this period.”

The AGM resolution was proposed in 2020 but carried forward to this year after last year’s meeting was cancelled due to the pandemic.