Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs - Primary Legislation
Hunting with Dogs Bill
The Hunting with Dogs Bill was formally introduced by John Blair, MLA on 27 April 2026. The Bill completed its Second Stage on 26 May 2026, and was referred to the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for scrutiny (the Committee Stage of the Bill).
The Hunting with Dogs Bill proposes to prohibit the use of dogs to hunt, attack, or kill wild mammals. The policy objectives of the Bill are to:
• prohibit the use of dogs to hunt, attack, or kill wild mammals; and
• close off any potential loophole where trail hunting is used as a smokescreen for illegal hunting.
An Explanatory and Financial Memorandum (EFM) is a document that accompanies a bill. It provides a detailed explanation of the bill's purpose, background, policy objectives, and its potential financial, human rights, and other impacts.
Call for Evidence
As part of the Assembly’s legislative processes, the Assembly’s Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs will now consider and take evidence on the Bill and report its opinion to the Assembly. This is known as the 'Committee Stage' of the Bill. The Bill was introduced by John Blair MLA and it is the responsibility of the Assembly's Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to take forward the Committee Stage.
As part of the Committee Stage, the Committee is seeking views from stakeholders on the objectives, proposals and potential consequences of the Bill and would welcome your views and comments on its contents.
Consultation Closed
The Committee's consultation on the Hunting with Dogs Bill closed on 24 August 2026. The Committee thanks all those who submitted responses. The views received will inform its scrutiny of the Bill and any recommendations made during the legislative process.
If you have any questions, please contact the Committee using the details below.
Useful Information
- View the current progress of the Bill and all related information
- Guide to submitting evidence to Assembly Committees in written or other formats
- Understanding a Bill: a guide for stakeholders
- Assembly Committees Privacy Notice
Quick Links
- Citizen Space Responses
- Written Submissions
- Research Papers
- Departmental Papers and Correspondence
- Minutes of Proceedings
- Minutes of Evidence
- Other Papers
Contact Us
If you have any queries or require any further information about the call for evidence or the Committee Stage of the Hunting with Dogs Bill, please contact the Committee Clerk, Dr Janice Thompson.
Address: Room 285, Parliament Buildings,
Ballymiscaw,Stormont,
Belfast, BT4 3XX
Email: Committee.AgriEnvRural@niassembly.gov.uk
Telephone: (028) 90 521369
