Written questions

Hare Coursing

2026-06-23 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · HL1280 · Official question

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the evidential basis for their policy to implement a close season for hares; and how this evidence justifies implementing a close season from 1 March to 31 July.

Answer

England is among the few European countries that doesn’t have a close season for killing hares and this Government has stated its intention to introduce one. A close season should reduce the number of adult hares shot in the breeding season, meaning fewer...