The UK government has announced a ban on trail hunting in England and Wales as part of a new, comprehensive animal welfare strategy. Trail hunting, which involves dogs following an animal-based scent trail rather than a live animal, has been criticized as a cover for illegal hunting of live animals. While hunting live mammals was banned in 2004, trail hunting remained legal until now. The strategy also includes reforms such as ending puppy farming, banning electric shock collars, improving farm animal welfare by phasing out confinement systems, and introducing protections for wild animals like banning snare traps and setting a close season for hares.

The government aims to implement these measures by 2030, with consultations planned to involve farmers and stakeholders. The announcement has drawn criticism from hunting supporters who feel the issue was settled years ago. Trail hunting has already been banned in Scotland since 2002, while hunting with dogs remains legal in Northern Ireland and Ireland. This strategy represents the government’s most ambitious animal welfare plan in a generation, targeting improvements for animals in homes, farms, and the wild.