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The National Trust has granted licences for trail hunting on Somerset land - specifically the Crook Peak area and Holnicote Estate.

Weston and Banwell Harriers - a hunt based in Mendip - applied for a licence and have been granted five dates in January and February where they will be allowed to trail hunt on the Mendip Hills.

The licence covers the Crook Peak on January 2 , 16 , and 30 , as well as February 13 and 27 .

Exmoor Foxhounds have also been granted a licence for the Holnicote Estate on January 30.

Animal welfare response

Animal welfare charity, League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) have lambasted the decision from the National Trust, urging it to cancel the licence.

The charity has written to the management of the Mendip Hills estate in an attempt to persuade to conservation body to block the hunts.

It is also asking the estate to explain how it is going to prevent hunts from killing animals on their land.

Chris Luffingham from the League Against Cruel Sports, said: "The Mendip Hills estate is a local treasure which showcases British nature at its best.

"Allowing a hunt to trample across the land, taking part in an activity which many people believe involves the killing of animals, completely goes against that philosophy.

"With over 85% of the public opposing all forms of hunting wild animals with hounds – including a considerable number of National Trust members and visitors to properties like the Mendip Hills estate – it is high time the conservation body provided protection to wildlife by stopping licensing hunting on its land.

"It’s sad that this licence has been issued. But now it’s been done, the National Trust estate need to show their members and the public how they will ensure that animals are safe on their land.

"We need to hear from them as to exactly how they will prevent foxes being killed by the hunt.

"The National Trust claim to have brought in measures to ensure hunts don’t kill animals on their land. However the League believe these to be inadequate.

"One example are ‘spot checks’ on the hunts to check they are acting legally – however the hunts will be given 24 hours’ notice of these checks.

"Giving hunts 24 hours’ notice that they will be watched is like telling a burglar which house is being staked out by the police. It’s a nonsense and reflects the half-hearted and ineffectual way in which the National Trust has approached this serious problem.



"Three hunting licences across National Trust estates in Hertfordshire, Shropshire and Surrey have already been cancelled this hunting season following pressure from the League."

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National Trust response

The National Trust refused to answer specific questions about the hunt on the Mendip Hills, stating that it does not comment on individual hunts.

A spokeswoman said: "The Trust does license ‘trail hunts’ in some areas and at certain times of the year, where it is compatible with our aims of public access and conservation.

"Trail hunting, if properly practised, is legal and a legitimate outdoor activity.

"In October 2017, National Trust members voted against a resolution for the cessation of “trail-hunting” on all land belonging to the charity.

"Prior to the vote, the charity’s Trustees recommended that the activity should be allowed to continue after recent improvements in licensing conditions to further safeguard conservation and access on the Trust’s land.

"Our clear, robust, and transparent set of conditions – which followed a six month review – were announced in August 2017, and designed to allow participants to enjoy this activity in compatibility with our conservation aims."

You can see the National Hunt's position on trail hunting here .

Do you have a story in Somerset you'd like to share? Get in touch. Email: tommy.joyce@reachplc.com, ring: 01935 709741, or tweet: @tommyjjourno

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