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.