AN ANIMAL welfare charity has hit out at the National Trust after it issued licences for ‘hunting’ on an Oxfordshire estate.

Trail hunting, designed to replicate the traditional mounted chase and killing of wild animals, sees riders take a pre-determined route following a scent previously laid for hounds or beagles.

However the League Against Cruel Sports has said it still believes that trail hunting sometimes involves the killing of animals.

Chris Luffingham, the director of campaigns at the charity, spoke out after the National Trust issued a trail hunting licence for the Buscot and Coleshill Estate near Faringdon.

He said: “The Buscot and Coleshill 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.

“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 spot check all its hunts, but the charity says it also gives hunters an advance warning.

Mr Luffingham added: “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,”

The National Trust wrote on its website: “We believe the overwhelming majority of hunts act responsibly, and we hope our clear, robust, and transparent set of conditions will allow participants to enjoy this activity in compatibility with our conservation aims.

“Any activity associated with the term ‘hunting’ continues to provoke strong emotions on both sides of the debate. We recognise our reforms will not satisfy everyone.”