The UK government is seeking feedback on a proposed trail hunting ban in England and Wales, a practice often used as a “smokescreen” for illegal hunting activities. The League Against Cruel Sports has found that a majority of the public supports banning trail hunting, with over 80 percent of Britons against fox hunting. The government consultation, open until June 18, 2026, is seen as a pivotal moment for animal welfare in the region.

Recent reports by Protect the Wild highlighted numerous instances of hunt cruelty, chaos, and criminality, including animal deaths and attacks. With trail hunting still resulting in wild animal deaths, there is a push for stronger measures to end the cruelty and killing. Scotland has already banned trail hunting, leading to calls for England and Wales to follow suit to close the loophole left by the original hunting ban.