Foxhunting

13 May 2026 | Other Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs evidence

Amending the Hunting Act 2004

Why linked: Filled the "Parliamentary debates and legislative proposals to amend or repeal the Hunting Act" gap via web research

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.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

13 May 2026 | Guidance Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs evidence

Hunting Act 2004 – CPS Prosecution Guidance

Why linked: Filled the "Government guidance on trail-hunting and the exemptions under the 2004 Act" gap via web research

Crown Prosecution Service legal guidance for prosecutors and caseworkers on the Hunting Act 2004, covering trail hunting as a defence, the Schedule 1 exemptions (stalking, flushing out, observation/research, etc.), and evidential issues. It is the closest operational government guidance on …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

23 Apr 2026 | Bill Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs evidence

Hunting Act 2004 (Amendment) Bill

Why linked: Filled the "Parliamentary debates and legislative proposals to amend or repeal the Hunting Act" gap via web research

A current Private Member's Bill (Session 2024–26) originating in the House of Commons, with first reading on 23 April 2026 and second reading on 8 May 2026, proposing to amend the Hunting Act 2004.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

26 Mar 2026 | Announcement Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

Trail hunting set to be banned

Why linked: Defra news announcement 'Trail hunting set to be banned' (26 March 2026).

Trail hunting is set to be banned in England and Wales.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

26 Mar 2026 | Announcement Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

Trail Hunting Consultation

Why linked: Lords WMS HLWS1468 launching the trail-hunting consultation on 26 March 2026.

UIN: HLWS1468 Today we are launching a consultation to seek views on how best to deliver an effective and enforceable ban on trail hunting in England and Wales. The responses will be used to inform my department’s assessment of any …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓

26 Mar 2026 | Announcement Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

Trail Hunting Consultation

Why linked: Commons WMS HCWS1473 launching the trail-hunting consultation on 26 March 2026.

UIN: HCWS1473 My Noble Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Baroness Hayman of Ullock), has made the following Written Statement today.Today we are launching a consultation to seek views on how best to deliver …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓

26 Mar 2026 | Consultation (open) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Context · primary home: Prohibiting Trail Hunting Eng… linked evidence

Proposals to prohibit trail hunting in England and Wales

Why linked: Filled the "Government guidance on trail-hunting and the exemptions under the 2004 Act" gap via web research

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

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

25 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make it her policy to include decapod crustaceans in the Animal Welfare Act 2006; and if she will publish a timeline for an announcement on that decision.

Why linked: Matched expansion phrase: Animal Welfare Act 2006

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make it her policy to include decapod crustaceans in the Animal Welfare Act 2006; and if she will publish a timeline for an announcement on …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

23 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the consultation on banning trail hunting will begin.

Why linked: PQ asking when the consultation on banning trail hunting will begin — establishes the run-up to the March 2026 launch.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the consultation on banning trail hunting will begin.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

23 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to retain existing exemptions in the Hunting Act; and if she will make an assessment of the level of likelihood that these exemptions are used to circumvent the law t

Why linked: PQ on retention of existing Hunting Act exemptions alongside any trail-hunting ban.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to retain existing exemptions in the Hunting Act; and if she will make an assessment of the level of likelihood that these exemptions are used …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

19 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of how many horses and dogs would have to be put down as a result of a ban on trail hunting; and what assessment they have made of the impact of a trail hunting ban on the rural economy.

Why linked: Lords PQ on welfare consequences (horses and dogs) of a trail-hunting ban — likely impact-assessment input.

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of how many horses and dogs would have to be put down as a result of a ban on trail hunting; and what assessment they have made of the impact …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the attendance of terrier handlers at trail hunting events with dogs and tools capable of digging out fox

Why linked: PQ on terrier-handler attendance at trail-hunting events — granular enforcement issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the attendance of terrier handlers at trail hunting events with dogs and tools capable of …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

26 Feb 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of exemptions permitting the use of birds of prey in fox hunting activities; and whether it plans to review those provision

Why linked: PQ on the effectiveness of the birds-of-prey/falconry exemption — directly probes Schedule 1 architecture.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of exemptions permitting the use of birds of prey in fox hunting activities; and whether it plans to review …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

26 Feb 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will review the operation of the exemptions for mink hunts under the Hunting Act 2004.

Why linked: PQ 113773 — Defra confirms no plans to review the mink-hunting exemption, materially defining the scope of the reform.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will review the operation of the exemptions for mink hunts under the Hunting Act 2004.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

1 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Transport linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 38013, what steps she plans to take ensure Highways England and its contractors meet the legal requirements in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for the r

Why linked: Matched expansion phrase: Environmental Protection Act 1990

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 38013, what steps she plans to take ensure Highways England and its contractors meet the legal requirements in the Environmental Protection Act …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

1 Apr 2025 | Debate linked direct

Trail Hunting

Why linked: Trail Hunting adjournment debate of 1 April 2025 — the principal recent parliamentary set-piece on this thread, with Minister Zeichner confirming the consultation commitment.

Commons Chamber debate | Commons

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

11 Mar 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what enforcement mechanisms his Department plans to introduce for the ban on trail hunting.

Why linked: PQ on enforcement mechanisms for the proposed trail-hunting ban.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what enforcement mechanisms his Department plans to introduce for the ban on trail hunting.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

11 Mar 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timeline is for introducing legislation to ban (a) trail hunting and (b) the import of hunting trophies.

Why linked: PQ on the legislative timeline for the trail-hunting ban.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timeline is for introducing legislation to ban (a) trail hunting and (b) the import of hunting trophies.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

22 Jul 2021 | Research Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee linked direct

11th report - Drawn to the special attention of the House: Draft Organics (Equivalence and Control Bodies Listing) (Amendment) Regulations 2021; Correspondence: Department for Transport’s backlog of maritime legislation, Ministry of Justice regarding the Marriages and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) (Amendment) Regulations 2021, Defra regarding the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedule 9) (England) (No. 2) Order 2021; Includes information paragraphs on: 8 instrument…

Why linked: Matched expansion phrase: Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

11th report - Drawn to the special attention of the House: Draft Organics (Equivalence and Control Bodies Listing) (Amendment) Regulations 2021; Correspondence: Department for Transport’s backlog of maritime legislation, Ministry of Justice regarding the Marriages and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ 52.pdf

13 Jul 2015 | Research House of Commons Library linked direct

Amending The Hunting Act 2004

Why linked: Matched expansion phrase: Hunting Act 2004

Type: Standard Note (SN06853) Hunting with dogs was banned in England in 2004 under The Hunting Act. In July 2015 the Government announced that it intended to amend the legislation to amend the legislation.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ SN06853.pdf

9 Jul 2015 | Memorandum Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Draft Explanatory Memorandum — Hunting Act 2004 (Exempt Hunting) (Amendment) Order 2015

The Act bans all hunting with dogs of wild mammals in England and Wales, except where it is carried out in accordance with an exemption set out in Schedule 1 to the Act.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK