Tens of thousands of people turned out across the country on Boxing Day to support traditional hunt meets, just days after the government announced plans to ban trail hunting in England and Wales.
Around 200 hunt meets took place on 26 December, with large crowds reported at locations including Matching Green in Essex, Ludlow in Shropshire, and Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire. In Dorset, hunts including the South Dorset Hunt and Cattistock Hunt held their annual meets.
The events came against a backdrop of growing tension between rural communities and the Labour government following recent policy announcements affecting the countryside.
On 22 December, the government published its animal welfare strategy which included a commitment to ban trail hunting. Ministers said there were concerns the practice was being used as a cover for illegal fox hunting, which has been banned since 2004.
Trail hunting involves hounds following an artificially laid scent trail rather than pursuing live animals. It was introduced after the Hunting Act 2004 made hunting wild mammals with dogs illegal.
Environment minister Baroness Hayman of Ullock said the government would launch a consultation in early 2026 on how to implement the ban.
A poll conducted by ORB for the Countryside Alliance found that 65 per cent of voters believe the Labour government unfairly neglects those living in rural areas. The survey of 2,082 adults also found that 76 per cent think the government prioritises urban issues over rural concerns.
When asked about government priorities, respondents cited the economy, immigration and healthcare as top concerns. No respondents mentioned trail hunting as a priority.
Georgina Owen, joint-master at the Ludlow Hunt, said the countryside was facing pressure from Westminster. She said communities wanted a government that stimulates the economy rather than one that controls their way of life.
Ross Crawford, master and huntsman of the Bedale Hunt, said the turnout in his area was fantastic and showed a strong, committed community around the hunt.
Countryside Alliance chief executive Polly Portwin said Boxing Day hunt meets demonstrated their role in bringing communities together whilst supporting local businesses. She said the government’s focus on trail hunting was out of step with voter priorities.
The organisation claims hunts contribute more than £100 million annually to the rural economy.
Animal welfare campaigners have long argued that trail hunting is used as cover for illegal fox hunting. Major landowners including the National Trust, Natural Resources Wales and Forestry England have banned the practice on their land. The Ministry of Defence has also halted licences for trail hunting on its estate.
A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson said the government was committed to banning trail hunting, which has strong public support and is too often used as cover for illegal fox hunting.
The announcement follows other recent government policies affecting rural areas, including changes to inheritance tax relief for farming estates. The threshold for agricultural and business property relief was raised from £1 million to £2.5 million following significant opposition from farming groups.
According to Office for National Statistics figures, around 6,270 agriculture, forestry and fishing businesses have closed since the inheritance tax changes were first announced.
The government’s animal welfare strategy also includes plans to ban colony cages for laying hens, farrowing crates for sows, snare traps, and puppy farming. It will also consider introducing humane slaughter requirements for farmed fish and a close season for hares.
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