The Old Berkshire Hunt currently have a licence to use National Trust land [specifically the Buscot & Coleshill Estates, see their licence here] despite appearing to kill a fox on this land during the 2018/19 hunting season, on 17th November 2018. This was filmed by Cirencester Illegal Hunt Watch and later reported to the Trust.

The National Trust then stated they would investigate this in an email to campaigners dated 21st November 2018, doing so by attempting to establish the facts from relevant parties. For some reason, however, anti-hunt organisations that documented the incident weren't considered relevant parties and heard nothing more. During later meetings with the Trust's 'trail hunting' management team, campaigners were told that they would not be given any update on the incident.

This isn't good enough, and we have no faith at all in the Old Berkshire Hunt making any genuine attempt to follow trails instead of treating wildlife with brutality including on National Trust land.

The National Trust ignored almost all communication with activists about the incident. The investigation, if one took place at all, must have taken the hunters at their word. 

It's worth pointing out that this Estate has numerous outbreaks of bovine tuberculosis [bTB - 12 recorded outbreaks, 4 of which are still active as seen on DEFRA's bTB map on 07/12/2019], something that can potentially be spread by foxhounds. 

The 'trail hunting' that the Old Berkshire Hunt is licensed for is a false alibi for illegal fox hunting. This petition calls for this hunt to be banned from Trust land with immediate effect.