VICTORY: NATIONAL TRUST MEMBERS VOTE TO END HUNTING LICENCES

Until 2020 the National Trust allowed so-called “trail hunts” to use their land through a system of licences administered by a dedicated ‘trail hunting’ team. However following the outcome of the 2021 National Trust AGM vote on trail hunting these licences look set to be ended. National Trust members voted in favour of the resolution regarding trail hunting by  76,816 votes to 38,184.

This outcome follows what’s been one of the most damning months for hunting in recent memory. In early October Keep The Ban released the outcome of an undercover investigation which showed the Beaufort Hunt shooting dead their hounds (a hunt previously licensed by the National Trust). The following week the Director of the Masters of Fox Hounds Association Mark Hankinson was found guilty of encouraging/assisting others to break the 2004 Hunting Act. This trial had huge significance and provided proof of something we have all known for some time - that so-called “trail hunting” is nothing but a smokescreen for illegal fox hunting. Just to add to the misery of the hunting world one of the nations biggest landowners has now taken a further step towards banning all hunts on their land for good and Keep The Ban welcomes this decision.

Keep The Ban hopes that this outcome will lead to other major landowners across the country to end the licensing of hunts on their land who continue to use “trail hunting” as a coverup for illegal fox hunting. We thank everyone who voted and for helping to spread the word about this landmark vote. Together we can and we will end fox hunting for good. You can read background information on the link below about the extent of illegal activity involving hunts on National Trust land.

www.keeptheban.uk/post/breaking-national-trust-members-vote-to-end-hunting-licences