Liberal Democrats Welcome Vital Protections for Hares and End to Trail Hunting "Smokescreen".

​In a landmark victory for wildlife protection, the government has announced a comprehensive ban on trail hunting and a strictly enforced prohibition on the shooting of hares in England.

​The Liberal Democrats have long been at the forefront of the fight to close the "smokescreen" loopholes that have allowed illegal hunting to persist under the guise of trail hunting. For the party, this legislative shift is a necessary step in ensuring that our animal welfare laws are fit for the 21st century.

​Holding the Government to Account
​Throughout 2025, Liberal Democrat MPs have been relentless in demanding a clear roadmap for these long-awaited reforms. Liz Jarvis MP (Eastleigh) has been a leading voice in the House of Commons, consistently challenging the government to provide a specific timeline for legislative action.

​In May 2025, Jarvis formally pushed the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for clarity:
​"To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on publishing a timeline to bring forward legislative measures to end trail hunting."  Liz Jarvis MP, 

​Her persistence, alongside her advocacy for a total ban on snares and an end to hunting trophy imports, underscores the Liberal Democrat commitment to ending "unnecessary and preventable suffering" for all animals.

​A Victory for Animal Welfare and Science
​The new measures aim to end the practice where hounds follow a pre-laid scent—a activity that police and campaigners argue has frequently been used as a cover for the illegal pursuit of live animals.

​Liberal Democrat spokesperson and veterinary surgeon Danny Chambers MP has emphasized that these laws are a matter of modern ethics and scientific necessity:
​"This marks a turning point for animal welfare in the UK... eradicating cruel practices that should have been wiped out years ago. We have now successfully closed the loopholes that allowed such abuse to persist." Danny Chambers MP

​Protecting the Iconic Brown Hare
​The ban on shooting hares for most of the year is a crucial step in preserving a species that has seen its population dwindle. This aligns with the Liberal Democrat core commitment to "double nature" by 2050—a policy aimed at increasing the abundance of species across the UK.

​Key Liberal Democrat Policy Pillars:
​Nature-Friendly Farming: As outlined in the 2024 Manifesto, the party advocates for rewarding farmers who protect wildlife and enhance biodiversity.

​Strengthening the Hunting Act: Moving beyond the 2004 Act to ensure no animal is hunted for sport under any pretext.
​Ending Cruel Practices: Firmly supporting the ban on the use of hounds for hunting and the introduction of a total ban on snares.

​Standing Up for Rural Communities
​The Liberal Democrats argue that true rural advocacy means protecting the environment that sustains those communities. By banning trail hunting, the party believes it is removing the disruption that illegal hunts often leave in their wake, which frequently impacts local farmers and residents.

​By focusing on high-welfare, nature-friendly practices and strict wildlife protections, the Liberal Democrats remain committed to ensuring that the final legislation is robust, transparent, and protects the UK's natural heritage for generations to come.


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