Amending the Hunting Act 2004

A House of Commons Library research briefing (SN06853) covering parliamentary debates and legislative proposals to amend or repeal the Hunting Act 2004, including the 2015 Government announcement of its intention to amend the legislation via statutory instrument.

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Amending The Hunting Act 2004 - House of Commons Library

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Hunting with dogs was banned in England in 2004 under The Hunting Act. The legislation includes several exemptions which allow the use of a maximum of two dogs for certain hunting activities, including stalking and flushing. The exemptions under the Act can be amended using a statutory instrument with the approval of both Houses.

The Conservative Government included a manifesto commitment to repeal the Hunting Act. However, in July 2015 the Government announced that it intended to amend the legislation to remove the limit on the number of dogs, and instead replace it with a requirement that the number of dogs used is appropriate to the terrain and any other relevant circumstance. The Government’s aim is to bring the legislation in line with that in Scotland.

Countryside organisations have welcomed the move stating it addressed the needs of rural communities. However, animal welfare organisations are concerned that it will make the legislation a lot more difficult to enforce.