Threads / Prohibiting Trail Hunting England Wales / Proposals to prohibit trail hunting in England and Wales
Open Consultation Published 26 Mar 2026 Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs ↗ View on GOV.UK

Proposals to prohibit trail hunting in England and Wales

Inviting views on the government’s proposed approach to implementing a ban on trail hunting in England and Wales.

Opened 26 Mar 2026
Closed 18 Jun 2026
▤ Verbatim text from source document

This consultation invites views on the government’s proposed approach to legislating, including:

  • how trail hunting should be defined for the purpose of a ban
  • whether any other legislative changes are needed to ensure that a ban is effective
  • the use of animal based scents in training dogs
  • whether any other equestrian activities are at risk from being affected by the proposed ban on trail hunting
  • how the introduction of a ban might affect dogs used for trail hunting

Additionally, the consultation invites views on any community, social, business, economic or environmental impacts potentially associated with a ban, and how it is brought into effect.

We welcome views from:

  • the public
  • landowners
  • conservation organisations
  • animal welfare groups
  • hunt organisers
  • local authorities
  • businesses and their representatives
  • any other interested parties