West Dorset farmers have had their say on proposals to ban trail hunting on National Trust land

A group of National Trust members have submitted a motion which would prevent the charity from handing out licenses for simulated fox, hare and stag hunting.

Animal rights campaigners strongly oppose trail hunting, which is legal in the UK, as they believe it is often used as a loophole through the nationwide hunting ban.

The motion has the backing of the League Against Cruel Sports and will be voted on at the National Trust’s AGM later this year. 

The National Trust owns numerous patches of land in West Dorset, including in Burton Bradstock and West Bexington.

Farmer James Cossins, National Farmers’ Union chairman for Dorset, said he would not like to see a ban put in place, though not into trail hunting himself, as it would take away the right of tenant farmers on National Trust land to decide for themselves on the issue. 

He said: “I think it is taking away the tenants’ rights as to whether to allow hunting or not and I think it is still taking away people’s leisure sport – riding a horse around the countryside following a trail.”

He added: “Farmers should be able to make up their own minds and not be dictated to by the National Trust.”

Mr Cossins also said that an increase in vermin on National Trust land could affect the land of neighbouring farmers.

Brian Johnston, who owns Lower Ash Farm in Bridport, said: “I am not for or against hunting. That is my opinion.”

Mr Johnston added he did not personally want to stop anyone from hunting, but also thought the National Trust should be able to decide what happens on its own land. 

He said: “I suppose they can do what they want on their land. I haven’t got any problem with them banning hunting on their land. It’s their right to do it.”

Mr Johnston thought the matter would be different if it was about a ban on badger culling, as he thought that would affect other farmers.

Another farmer from Bridport, who did not wish to be named, said: “I do not have a view one way or the other. Provided there is no cruelty in the hunting I really don’t mind.”

He did not think the proposal “impacts farmers greatly” because, regardless of the National Trust’s decision, farmers can still decide what happens on their own land.

He said: “I think it’s down to each individual land owner. The National Trust have a right to decide for themselves.”

He added: “It depends on the way it’s done. Chasing a fox into the ground is not cruel, but having it torn apart by dogs is cruel.”

A National Trust spokesperson said: "Since the creation of trail hunting post-2004 Hunting Act, we have been in charge of licensing this type of outdoor activity. 

"We have always required trail hunts to gain tenant farmer consent for the trail hunt to cross their occupied land. Tenants have never been the licensor: this is exactly the same as for other landowners, from the Crown Estate to the Forestry Commission."