MINISTERS were urged today to end the “smokescreen” of trail hunting in anticipation of Boxing Day hunts across the country.

Environment minister Mary Creagh said the government is committed to banning the practice and providing “significant protections” for foxes and hares.

Trail hunting is a legal alternative to hunting animals with hounds, where a trail of animal urine, usually fox, is laid in advance and the scent tracked by hunts on horseback or on foot.

Animal rights activists say the practice is used as a cover for actual fox hunting, banned in England and Wales following the introduction of the Hunting Act 2004, which came into force a year later.

Labour MP for Cannock Chase Josh Newbury told MPs: “This time of year brings festive cheer, but it also brings the Boxing Day hunt.

“Alongside many of my constituents, I am keen to see an end to the smokescreen that is trail hunting.

“Following the last Labour government’s historic fox hunting ban, will the minister confirm this Labour government’s commitment to banning trail hunting once and for all?”

Ms Creagh replied: “We have indeed committed to a ban on trail hunting, which will provide significant protections to wild animals, including foxes and hares.

“Work to determine the best approach for doing so is ongoing, and further announcements will be made in due course.”

Earlier in the session, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath Wera Hobhouse raised the issue of trophy hunting of exotic animals and called on the government to revive previously debated legislation that failed to make it to the statute books.

She told the Commons: “It is now 10 years since the senseless killing of Cecil the lion. It is still legal to import hunting trophies into this country.

“There’s [been] cross-party support for a long time to ban trophy hunting."

Ms Creagh recommitted Labour to banning the practice.