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Labour’s plans to ban trail hunting have prompted warnings from countryside campaigners that thousands of jobs could be lost and tens of thousands of hounds left without clear care arrangements.
The Countryside Alliance says the proposed legislation could threaten 750 to 1,000 jobs across rural England and Wales, particularly affecting huntsmen, kennel staff, farriers and associated veterinary services.
Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner told The Telegraph that most hunts operate with small teams, typically two or three staff members who are responsible not only for organised hunts but also for the year-round care of horses and hounds.
He said many of these roles are low-paid but include accommodation and transport as part of the package, making them difficult to replace across other rural sectors. He described the work as requiring “remarkable skill” and warned that displaced workers could struggle to find equivalent employment.
At the centre of concern is the future of an estimated 12,000 hounds currently maintained by hunts across the UK. Campaigners argue that a ban could leave many animals without clear custodianship or welfare arrangements, and some warn they could be rehomed or, in the worst case, destroyed.
The British Hound Sports Association said the impact would be “serious and immediate”, arguing that ministers have not set out sufficient provisions for the animals’ long-term care.
British Hound Sports Association added that hunting contributes around £100 million a year to the rural economy, supporting a wider network of local businesses and services beyond the hunts themselves.
The political debate has intensified, with Conservative MP Joy Morrissey warning in Parliament that large numbers of hounds could be at risk if the legislation proceeds. She accused ministers of targeting rural traditions, arguing that long-standing countryside practices are being undermined for ideological reasons.
She said in Parliament: “I feel that the Government do not really care about animal welfare. They do not care because they want to double down on attacking the English rural way of life.
“English rural traditions going back centuries are being sacrificed on the altar of left-wing student political ideology.”
Critics of the ban argue that it is part of a broader pattern of policy pressure on rural communities, while supporters of tighter restrictions say it is necessary to clarify the legal status of hunting practices and to improve animal welfare enforcement, GB News reported.
The government has yet to set out detailed transitional arrangements for animals or workers affected by the proposals, with consultation expected to continue as the legislation progresses.
A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “This Government has made a clear commitment to ban trail hunting due to concerns about how it is being practised.
“We understand that this is a complex issue and we want to make sure all those with an interest have the opportunity to shape how we bring this forward.
“We recognise that hunting is important to those who enjoy this pursuit and alternative practices, such as drag hunting and clean boot hunting, are intended to remain unaffected under the plans.”
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