Petition · past parliament · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Stop Forestry England granting licenses for Fox & Hare hunts
Closed
104,705 signatures
What the petition asks
For the most recent hunting season, Forestry England gave hunting licences for 34 fox & hare “trail hunts”. Despite hunting wild mammals with dogs being illegal, two of the licensed/previously licensed trail hunts have been associated with convictions under the Hunting and Animal Welfare Acts.
Other licensed fox hunts have recently been in the press for alleged trespass, killing foxes, losing control of their dogs & for another criminal conviction. A saboteur was severely injured at a hunt in early September that ordinarily receives a licence from Forestry England.
It is only a matter of time before more convictions and more bans will have to be implemented. The answer is simple and effective – stop granting licences to hunts that are continuing to use the myth of ‘trail hunting’ to chase and kill wildlife.
It is only a matter of time before more convictions and more bans will have to be implemented. The answer is simple and effective – stop granting licences to hunts that are continuing to use the myth of ‘trail hunting’ to chase and kill wildlife.
Government response · 7 December 2020
Trail hunting is a legal activity. Forestry England permits trail hunting under an agreement with the Masters of Fox Hounds Association. It has the power to suspend or withdraw any permission.
The Government responded to a petition on this issue on 10 September 2020 and the position remains the same. The full response can be found at Stop Forestry England granting licenses for Fox & Hare hunts
Trail hunting in the nation's forests is currently suspended in response to confirmation that the police are investigating webinars hosted by the Hunting Office.
Forestry England has no plans to end the granting of permission for trail hunting where the hunts concerned can meet the terms and conditions of the permission which are themselves kept under regular review.
The Government will not amend the Hunting Act 2004.
Trail hunting in the nation's forests is currently suspended in response to confirmation that the police are investigating webinars hosted by the Hunting Office.
Forestry England has no plans to end the granting of permission for trail hunting where the hunts concerned can meet the terms and conditions of the permission which are themselves kept under regular review.
The Government will not amend the Hunting Act 2004.
Debate in Parliament
MPs debated this petition on 25 April 2022.
Timeline
| 6 Oct 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 10 Oct 2020 | Passed 10,000 signatures, requiring a government response |
| 7 Dec 2020 | Government responded |
| 23 Mar 2021 | Passed 100,000 signatures, qualifying for a parliamentary debate |
| 6 Apr 2021 | Closed to new signatures |
| 25 Apr 2022 | Debated in Parliament |
Key facts
Signatures
104,705
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Opened
6 Oct 2020
Closed
6 Apr 2021
Response
7 Dec 2020
Debated
25 Apr 2022
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.