Why fox hunting remains a problem in Cumbria – almost 20 years after it was banned

Fox hunting – despite being banned almost 20 years ago, it’s still causing a headache in Cumbria.

The Hunting Act 2004 outlawed the hunting of mammals with hounds, but it didn’t stop hunt groups meeting or going on trail hunts using scents like fox urine or aniseed.

Normally, when fox hunting is tackled by the media, it’s usually in terms of hunts chasing foxes illegally – but there’s a whole other reason why it’s causing problems in Cumbria.

The county has a very long tradition and history of hunting and has several packs which meet regularly. But one group of West Cumbrian landowners are claiming hunt members are committing trespass – and they want it to stop.