THE Countryside Alliance has responded after the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) 'confirmed its intention' to suspend trail hunting indefinitely on LDNPA-owned land.

Trail hunting is restricted by law to exercising hounds and having them follow artificial scents or 'trails'. 

However, there have been concerns expressed that the activity is used as a 'smokescreen' for fox hunting, which was banned in England and Wales in 2004.

Polly Portwin, director of the Campaign for Hunting at the Countryside Alliance, said the onus was on hunts to show 'that their activity is legitimate'.

"Once that is demonstrated, there can be no justification whatsoever for restricting a legal activity by the LDNPA," she said.

READ MORE: Trail hunting suspended indefinitely on national park land

Trail hunting in the Lake District was suspended in November 2020 amid a police probe that led to the conviction of prominent huntsman Mark Hankinson.

An LDNPA spokesman said: "Officers made the decision [on an indefinite suspension] and, at a briefing, members expressed support for their decision.

"This continues the suspension which has been in place since November 2020.

"We will continue to liaise with fell packs, landowners and other stakeholders, including Cumbria Police."

Chris Luffingham, director of the League Against Cruel Sports, hoped the LDNPA suspension would be 'rigorously enforced by the authority'.

A spokesman for the Hunting Office said: "We will try to continue dialogue with the Lake District National Park Authority, as this involves land that should be open to all, without prejudice.

"Trail hunting continues to be a lawful and legitimate activity enjoyed by many people across the country."