Kevin Hollingrake MP meets Sinnington Hunt on Boxing Day

Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake attended a meet of the Sinnington Hunt in Kirbymoorside town centre on Boxing Day (Thursday).

The Conservative MP posted on social media: “Out supporting the Sinnington trail hunt today in Kirkbymoorside.

“This is a core part of our tradition here in North Yorkshire.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Boxing Day hunts vow to ‘fight’ trail ban as Starmer warned over rural backlash

“Labour proving time and time again, they simply do not understand rural areas.”

The MP also commented: “A trail-hunting ban isn’t about welfare – it’s about Labour’s continued attack on rural England.”

Sinnington Hunt posted after the Boxing Day meet: “We couldn’t be more grateful to the hundreds of you who came along today to support our hounds and this great Boxing Day tradition.”

Earlier, Sinnington Hunt had said: “Once again, the countryside faces a number of threats from Westminster.

“It would be great to see lots of support for not only our hounds and this great British tradition, but also for the wider rural community who continue to be at the heart of life in Ryedale.

“We must stand united for our hounds and our countryside way of life which we all know and love so well.”

The posts follows the Labour government announcing a new Animal Welfare Strategy just before Christmas.

The government will launch a consultation and “engagement with farmers and industry” in early 2026 about its proposals. Trail Hunting is already banned in Scotland.

The strategy also proposes outlawing puppy farms and snare traps.  

York Outer Labour MP Luke Charters said on social media: “Boxing Day hunts using “trail scents” can sadly be used as a smokescreen for fox hunting.

“Such CRUELTY has no place in the British countryside.

“It’s telling how many right-wing NPC (none-thinking) politicians rush to defend it.

“Labour will BAN trail hunting for good to PROTECT wildlife.”

York Central Labour MP Rachael Maskell has long-campaigned on the issue but appears not to have commented on trail-hunting recently.

But in May Ms Maskell said online: “It’s time to end trail-hunting. It has been used as a guise to continue the illegal hunting of foxes and must be stopped.”

The MP continued: “The 2004 Hunting Act (which banned traditional fox hunting) should have been the end. The Labour government responded to the public outcry at the barbarism of hunting with hounds and passed legislation to outlaw such animal cruelty. But the bugles and beagles were not silenced for long.”

“Hunts have betrayed the trust placed in them to stay within the law and to stay away from foxes. This can only mean one thing: there must be a complete ban of trail-hunting. No exemptions, no loopholes, no excuses. They have had their chance.”

How do you feel about trail hunting? What would you like to see in Labour’s new Animal Welfare Strategy? Let us know at letters@thepress.co.uk