THE North Cornwall Hunt (Camelford) and East Cornwall Hunt (Bolventor) gave a show of defiance in the face of a looming ban on trail hunting as crowds watched the sight of the hunts pass them by.

Following the ban on fox-hunting in 2004, hunt groups across the country pivoted to hosting ‘trail hunts’, which see packs of hounds and hunters on horses chase a scent trail intended to mimic the smell of foxes. It was recently announced that this is set to be banned.

There are many who oppose these event, saying it is a “smokescreen” with concerns that illegal hunting is continuing under the guise of trail hunting.

Despite the news of potential bans, hunts across the region continued to host one of their biggest events of the year.

Both supporters and protesters were seen at the hunts, with some attendees claiming they had ‘never seen so many people attend the event’.

However, despite some disdain for the potential ban, others have also expressed their support for the change.

The Duchy’s Labour MPs have set out the reasons why they are in favour of the ban, while the Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives, Andrew George also said he welcomed the proposal.

As part of an upcoming ‘animal welfare strategy’, trail hunting, where packs of hounds and hunters on horses chase a scent trail intended to mimic the smell of foxes, will be outlawed alongside other measures often perceived as cruel, such as shock collars, and puppy farms in addition to cages and crates for farm animals.

Its introduction has been welcomed by both Liberal Democrat and Labour politicians in Cornwall, who say that the wider animal welfare proposals are intended to make the safeguards protecting animals from cruelty stronger.

Pro-hunting groups have been among those to strongly criticise the proposals, describing trail hunting as supporting the rural way of life that is under attack from a ‘largely urban government’.

A spokesperson for the North Cornwall Hunt said: “The North Cornwall Hunt has a long tradition in our area, and we have successfully adapted to trail hunting since the introduction of the Hunting Act 2004.

“All those who go trail hunting enjoy looking after the hounds and horses and riding across our beautiful countryside. To us, trail hunting is an adventurous and healthy outdoor exercise which brings together people from all walks of life. May the sound of hounds never die.”