Members of the Senedd, including a former Rural Affairs minister, joined animal welfare campaigners at the Senedd on Tuesday to back calls for the next UK government to strengthen fox hunting laws. The MSs expressed their support for a ban on so-called trail hunting and for loopholes in the Hunting Act being exploited by hunts to be closed down. Among the politicians backing the call to ban hunting was Lesley Griffiths, who was the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs up until 21 March this year.
Chris Luffingham, acting chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “It’s time for change and to end hunting for good. The laws in Wales and England need to be strengthened. NFU Cymru sets out its priorities for next UK government Ceredigion farmer calls for industry to adapt on World Environment Day Royal Welsh Show cheers as school holiday shake-up shelved Cabinet Secretary goes ‘out in the field’ to learn about sustainable land management “We welcome the support of MSs in calling for the next UK government to urgently implement these vital changes which will stop hunts chasing and killing foxes and wreaking havoc on rural communities.
” Carolyn Thomas MS, Chair of the Senedd Cross-Party Group on Animal Welfare said: "It is fantastic to see the Labour Party's commitment to strengthen the Hunting Act 2004 which is much needed and will close a loophole by banning trail-hunting, a practice used as a cover up for illegal and barbaric fox hunting.
