Lake District National Park suspends trail hunting indefinitely

Trail hunting simulates the banned practice of chasing live animals and sees scents laid for hounds to follow

Trail hunting on Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) land is to be suspended indefinitely.

The activity, which sees scents laid for hounds to follow rather than a live animal, was halted by the organisation in November 2020.

That followed allegations made to police about an online hunting conference.

The LDNPA now says it has confirmed its "intention to suspend trail hunting licences indefinitely".

A spokesperson added it would continue to liaise with fell packs, landowners and police.

Many groups turned to trail hunting when the Hunting Act 2004 made it illegal to use dogs to chase or kill foxes in England and Wales.

However, opponents say it can be used as a smokescreen for covert illegal fox hunts and the National Trust suspended licences in 2020 after video emerged of a prominent huntsman advising how to use events for that purpose.

The charity then issued a ban last year.

A spokesperson for the Hunting Office - which promotes the interests of the hunting community - said the decision was "disappointing" without "any meaningful consultation".

"Moving forward, we will try to continue dialogue with the Lake District National Park Authority, as this involves land that should be open to all, without discrimination," they said.

Polly Portwin, director of the campaign for hunting at the Countryside Alliance, said: "It is for hunts to show that their activity is legitimate and once that is demonstrated there can be no justification whatsoever for restricting a legal activity by the Lake District National Park Authority".