Experts warn of negative consequences of a trail hunting ban

A new policy briefing paper entitled "Broken Countryside" calls on the UK government to set up an independent body to review hunting legislation. Authors Charlie Pye-Smith and Jim Barrington argue that the 2004 Hunting Act has increased the suffering of wildlife and warn that a ban on trail hunting could further worsen the situation.

The paper, which is based on the findings of the "Rural Wrongs" project, states that the planned ban will have a significant negative impact on the rural economy and communities. The authors emphasize that up to 10,000 hunting dogs and numerous hunting horses will remain without use and may have to be killed.

The British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) also supports the call for a comprehensive, science-based review of hunting legislation. It criticizes the fact that existing laws are shaped by ideology rather than facts and calls for a systematic reform of all relevant wildlife laws.

However, the UK government is sticking to its plan to ban trail hunting, as announced in the election manifesto. Supporters of the independent review warn that a further tightening of hunting laws could have a lasting impact on both animal welfare and rural life.