Downing Street rebuked Nigel Farage for criticizing ministers as “authoritarian control freaks” for proposing a ban on trail hunting. Trail hunting involves following a laid-out scent instead of hunting real animals, serving as a substitute for fox hunting, which was outlawed by the Labour Party in 2004.
Campaigners have frequently warned about the harm caused to foxes during hunts, with claims that trail hunting is often a cover for illegal fox hunting. Labour has committed to ending this practice as part of its Animal Welfare Strategy, announced recently. However, the move has faced opposition from the Tories and Reform UK.
Mr. Farage, known for participating in Boxing Day hunts, condemned ministers for their stance, while the Conservatives viewed the ban as an attack on rural traditions. Downing Street dismissed accusations of being “control freaks,” asserting that the government is fulfilling its manifesto promises.
Advocates have praised Labour’s Animal Welfare Strategy for including the ban on trail hunting but have expressed concerns about the lack of specific deadlines for implementation. The government has introduced a comprehensive set of policies to enhance animal welfare, which includes ending cruel puppy farms, exploring the ban on electric shock collars, combating dog attacks on farm animals, and prohibiting trail hunting.
Despite the absence of a clear timeline for the proposed measures, the government plans to initiate a consultation on trail hunting next year. Additionally, it will consider all recommendations from Baroness Minette Batters’ review on farm profitability.
The Dogs Trust CEO, Owen Sharp, welcomed the strategy but stressed the importance of clear timelines for its implementation, especially in urgent areas like tackling puppy smuggling. Green MP Adrian Ramsay emphasized the necessity for concrete actions to benefit animals, urging ministers to establish precise timelines for phasing out crates and cages and supporting farmers through necessary transitions.
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