The Ongoing Struggle Against the Fox Hunting Ban in England

The Ongoing Struggle of Fox Hunting in England

For nearly two decades, English fox hunters have been engaged in a relentless battle to overturn a ban that has significantly impacted their cherished sport. This centuries-old tradition, which involves the use of packs of hounds to pursue and kill foxes and other wild mammals, was made illegal in England in 2005. The ban was the result of a lengthy parliamentary struggle led by campaigners and lawmakers who argued against the practice on ethical and animal welfare grounds.

Despite the passionate advocacy from hunters, the law remains firmly in place, and fox hunting continues to be widely opposed by the public. According to a survey conducted by YouGov, an influential polling organization, a staggering 80 percent of the British populace believes that fox hunting should remain illegal.

In a bid to revive support for hunting, a pro-hunting activist has devised a novel approach. Ed Swales, the founder of Hunting Kind—a lobby group established in early 2022—seeks to leverage Britain’s Equality Act. This landmark legislation is designed to protect individuals from discrimination based on various attributes, including age, race, sexuality, and religion. Mr. Swales’s aim is to classify a pro-hunting stance as a protected belief, thereby aligning it with recognized categories such as atheism, pacifism, and ethical veganism. Ironically, it would also encompass a moral opposition to fox hunting.

“If someone identifies as ‘anti-hunt,’ then surely, one can identify as ‘hunt,’” Mr. Swales stated. “It’s simply applying the same legal framework.”

Last year, members of the Old Surrey, Burstow and West Kent Hunt participated in their annual Boxing Day hunt south of London, demonstrating the enduring passion for the tradition despite the legal hurdles they face.