Statement from the National Trust
The Heythrop Hunt is licensed to trail hunt on National Trust land in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.
In light of the fact that members of this group have recently been convicted of illegal fox hunting, the Trust has decided not to renew the hunt’s licences when they expire on 31 March 2013.
A National Trust spokesman said: “We are very much aware of the importance of countryside traditions and we allow field sports to take place on our property where they are traditionally practised, providing they are within the law and are compatible with the Trust’s purposes. These include public access and the protection of rare animals and birds and fragile habitats.
“Whilst the illegal activity in this case did not take place on land we own, we consider it to be a serious breach of trust. The conviction has given us major cause for concern about how the hunt runs its activities, which is why we will not renew the hunt’s license at the end of March.
“We have spoken to the hunt and also followed up in writing to make it clear that they will need to work closely with our local teams to rebuild our confidence in how they run their activities before we can consider an application to renew their trail hunting license.
“The Trust is a charitable body and does not take a political position either for or against field sports.”
Hunt Details
Source: National Trust
