Swedish billionaire owner of clothing giant H&M bans trail hunting on his 19,000-acre Home Counties estate after claims that hunt illegally targeted foxes on his land

The Swedish billionaire owner of H&M has banned trail hunting on his 19,000-acre estate following accusations of foxes being illegally targeted. 

Stefan Persson had previously allowed the Vine and Craven Hunt to ride on his Ramsbury Estates, which sprawls across Wiltshire, Berkshire and Hampshire.

But saboteurs alleged that on Saturday, December 6, the Hunt used voice calls associated with foxhunting, which was made an offence in 2004.   

The Hunt strenuously denies straying beyond the permitted form of trail hunting, but the clothing tycoon, who is worth around £20billion, has now barred all activity on his land indefinitely. 

Stefan Persson (pictured with his wife Carolyn Denise) had previously allowed the Vine and Craven Hunt to ride on his Ramsbury Estates, which sprawls across Wiltshire, Berkshire and Hampshire

Saboteurs alleged that on Saturday, December 6, the Hunt used voice calls associated with foxhunting, which was made an offence in 2004. Pictured: saboteurs clashing with the Hunt

A statement from Ramsbury Estates said: 'The estate became aware of certain allegations made against the Vine and Craven hunt last week.

'This was following an outing by the hunt of the eastern side of the estate near Hungerford.

'These allegations would be in contravention of the 2004 Hunting act, and if true would be a very serious matter.

'We have spoken to the hunt who strenuously deny and wrongdoing. If the allegations are proven, then the law will naturally take its course.

'In light of this, it was decided to stop all hunting for the foreseeable future on the estates land, whether tenanted or not.'

Reading Hunt Saboteurs that the riders 'made no effort to even fake a trail hunt' and 'used voice calls associated with traditional foxhunting' (pictures from Saturday's hunt)

Reading Hunt Saboteurs posted pictures of the Hunt on their social media channels

A spokesperson from the V&C Hunt, formed in 1968 and based in Lambourn , dismissed the claims as baseless

It followed claims by Reading Hunt Saboteurs that the riders 'made no effort to even fake a trail hunt' and 'used voice calls associated with traditional foxhunting'.

ITV News reported the police are investigating, but a spokesperson from the V&C Hunt, formed in 1968 and based in Lambourn, dismissed the claims as baseless.

They said: 'The Vine and Craven Hunt has always enjoyed a good working relationship with Ramsbury Estate, as it does with the many other landowners who allow the hunt to conduct trail hunting across their land.

What is the law on fox hunting? 

Fox hunting with dogs was banned in 2004 amid mounting complaints from animal welfare campaigners who argued it caused unnecessary suffering to wild animals.

It meant that groups in England and Wales could no longer hunt down and kill mammals with hounds.

But many hunts now simulate the chase by laying a scent for the dogs to follow instead of using an actual fox - this is known as trail hunting.

Dogs can also still be used to 'flush' foxes out of hiding if it is causing damage to property or the environment. 

Source: www.gov.uk 

'We will continue to liaise with the estate to ensure they are fully aware that these are just spurious allegations and are without foundation. In the meantime, we look forward to continuing to trail hunt in a Covid-secure manner.' 

The Hunt Saboteurs Association, which campaign for the abolition of hunting, praised the decision.

Lee Moon, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association said: 'We're delighted that Ramsbury Estate have stopped any hunting with immediate effect but we're even more delighted at how quick they were to take this action.

'It shows that landowners are desperate not to become embroiled in the police investigation and public outcry that's engulfing the hunting community.

'Finally, 15 years after the Hunting Act the tide is finally turning and hunts are fighting for their very existence.' 

Mr Persson, 73, the son of H&M founder Erling Persson, bought Ramsbury Estate in 1997 for £17million.

He is the latest land owner to ban hunting on his land, following similar action.

Fox hunting has long been a thorny political issue but in 2004 the Blair Government held a free vote in Parliament, which banned the blood sport.

It has since been illegal to hunt foxes with a pack of dogs, and instead riders do trail hunting which simulates the experience.