Send a Farming or Business Response to the Trail Hunting Consultation

1
Complete the e-lobby Respond in a personal capacity via the Future for Hunting tool first. Go to e-lobby ↗
2
Submit this response Send supplementary business or employment information directly to DEFRA and your local MP.

Who should submit a business or employment response?

If your personal income or business interests may be impacted by a trail hunting ban, you are encouraged to complete a further submission — even if you have already used the Future for Hunting e-lobby tool.

Important: If you have already completed the e-lobby, your submission there was made in a personal capacity. This response allows you to provide information specifically relating to your employment or business interests.

Before you start

  • Question 1 asks about confidentiality. If you wish to remain anonymous, tick "Yes" and give your reason — for example, to prevent harassment from anti-hunting organisations.
  • Question 4 asks how you are responding. If you submitted via the e-lobby, that was in a personal capacity — verify whether you are now responding as a farmer, land manager, or as a business.
  • Questions 1–6 are compulsory for the government's consultation.
  • We recommend responding specifically to Questions 25 and/or 26 about the impact on businesses directly and indirectly linked with hunts. If you wish to answer the other questions in the consultation, you can also complete the consultation on the government's official trail hunting consultation page.
  • Question 29 — if you have already completed the e-lobby, make this clear in your response to Question 29.
Consultation questions

Your responses

Question 1 — Required

Would you like your response to this consultation to be confidential in the event of an access to information request?

Question 2 — Required

What is your name?

Question 3 — Required

What is your email address?

Question 4 — Required

In what capacity are you responding?

Question 5 — Required

If you are responding on behalf of an organisation, what is the name of that organisation?

Question 6 — Required

Where are you, or the organisation you are representing, located?

Question 25

How do you think the proposed ban on trail hunting might affect the income and activities of businesses directly linked with hunts which currently engage in trail hunting?

Guidance — suggested points to address

  • Explain how a ban on trail hunting could affect your rural business.
  • Outline your current staffing levels, including full-time and part-time employees (include numbers where possible).
  • Describe how your business benefits from demand linked to trail hunting and related activities.
  • Indicate what proportion of your turnover is connected to this activity (insert percentage or description).
  • Explain how a ban could affect employment within your business and estimate how many roles might be at risk.
  • Note any expected loss of turnover or reduction in demand for your services.
  • Highlight the role trail hunting plays in supporting the wider rural supply chain.
  • Give examples of other local businesses you work with or purchase from, and how reduced activity might impact them.
  • Note any challenges in diversifying, particularly for small or specialist rural businesses.
  • Explain how these impacts could affect the long-term viability of your business.

Question 26

Do you think that the proposed ban on trail hunting in England and Wales might affect other businesses not directly linked with hunts?

Guidance — suggested points to address

  • Please state: Yes, I do think the proposed ban on trail hunting in England and Wales might affect other businesses not directly linked with hunts.
  • Highlight the contribution that hunting-related activity makes to the rural economy (e.g. around £100 million annual economic impact).
  • Note that the overall impact may be greater when wider economic effects are taken into account.
  • Describe the range of businesses supported by this activity, including those directly involved with hounds and horses.
  • Outline the wider network of rural businesses that could be affected — farmers, hospitality providers, livery yards, transport providers, fuel suppliers, feed merchants, farriers and veterinary practices.
  • Include other supporting trades where relevant, such as builders, electricians, plumbers, printers and caterers.
  • Explain how a ban might impact farmers, particularly those who rely on services such as fallen stock collection.
  • Emphasise that the effects would extend beyond hunts themselves.
  • Conclude by noting the potential impact on the wider rural economy as a whole.

Question 29

Please make clear in this box that this is a business or employment response and that you have also responded via the Future for Hunting e-lobby tool.

I have already submitted a response through the Future for Hunting e-lobby tool.

Guidance — suggested points to include

  • State that you have submitted a response through the Future for Hunting e-lobby campaign.
  • Confirm that you wish to supplement that submission with an additional statement.
  • Make clear that this statement sets out the specific impact on your business or employment.

Stay informed about the campaign

Future for Hunting would like to keep you updated on the trail hunting consultation and broader campaign activity. The Future for Hunting campaign is run in partnership with the Countryside Alliance and the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA). By opting in below, you agree to join the Future for Hunting campaign and receive updates from both parties. Your data will be processed in accordance with the Countryside Alliance Privacy Policy and the BHSA Privacy Policy and you can unsubscribe at any time.

I consent to Future for Hunting storing a copy of my response to help build evidence of the economic impact of a trail hunting ban and to support campaign communications. Future for Hunting will automatically be BCC'd into your email response.
Yes, I would like to hear from Future for Hunting about updates and news about the trail hunting campaign.