AN organisation is sharing the importance of trail hunting amid fears the government is set to ban the sport.

The British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) is warning that any ban on trail hunting would have a 'devastating' impact on the countryside. 

The new government pledged to ban trail hunting in its manifesto. 

A Defra spokesperson said: “This government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation, including banning trail hunting.”

BHSA is holding a National Trail Hunting Day on Saturday (September 14) at 30 venues across England and Wales to show how trail hunting works.

Olly Hughes, managing director of the BHSA said: “Trail hunting is a legal, legitimate and well-regulated countryside activity that is conducted under a strict code of conduct and should not be subject to new legislation.

"Many thousands of people up and down the country enjoy trail hunting, in full compliance with the letter and the spirit of the law. If a ban on trail hunting were to be introduced it would have a devastating impact on rural communities, leading to the closure of kennels and the loss of the many jobs linked to trail hunting in often isolated areas where employment is scarce.

"A ban would tear apart the sense of community that trail hunts create. This would have a devasting impact on the mental health of those, such as isolated farmers or older people, for whom supporting the hunt is often their only regular contact with others.”

Invites have been sent to MPs, police and crime commissioners and chief constables in each region, so they can learn about the benefits of trail hunting.

The BHSA has accredited 247 packs across England and Wales, which provide jobs, protect the future of rare hounds, offer a fallen livestock service to farmers and maintain hundreds of miles of hedgerows, as well as planting new ones.

George Davis, chairman of the Game Farmers’ Association (GFA), said: “Field sports are an integral part of the rich tapestry of the British countryside. They have a history dating back hundreds of years and are fundamental to the way of life in thousands of rural communities up and down the country.

"A core value of the GFA is the promotion of high standards among its members, a value we share with the British Hound Sports Association. 

"The GFA is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with other organisations who share our passion for protecting the future of field sports and wholeheartedly supports the BHSA’s National Trail Hunting Day on September 14.”

The events will take place up and down the country. In the south west, you can expect demonstrations in Wiltshire, Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Devon and Dorset. To find out more, click here. 

Rosie Jennings, 18, from Builth Wells is the Welsh national champion in Shushokan Karate and also a keen member of her local Hunt.

She says: “I will be joining the National Trail Hunting Day because I think people have a total misconception of trail hunting. It’s something that maintains the traditions of hunting, the jobs, and the joy of the sport, but it has adapted over the past 20 years so that the hounds simply follow a scent trail.

“The social side of it is important too, as people young and old follow the hunt whether in a car or on foot, and come to the social events organised by their local hunt year-round.  If the new government bans trail hunting it would be a devastating loss to rural communities.”