The Government has confirmed a consultation on banning trail-hunting, with Labour reiterating their intention to bring in a ban. MPs have raised concerns about trail-hunting being used as a pretense for illegal hunting activities, citing evidence from the League Against Cruel Sports. The British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) has expressed concern that the debate in parliament is part of a wider threat to dismantle all forms of legal hunting with hounds.

Countryside Alliance CEO Tim Bonner criticized the Government for planning to devote time to banning trail-hunting, calling it an irrelevant issue that puts prejudiced party politics ahead of the priorities of ordinary people. The BHSA is preparing for the consultation process and is urging supporters of legal hunting to stand together and show their support for hounds. The BHSA believes that trail-hunting is already lawful, regulated, and carried out with high welfare standards, and that proposals to tighten legislation are offensive to those who comply with the law.