A new limit on the number of dogs used in fox hunts will be introduced to Holyrood, says the Scottish Government.
Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon told MSPs it would close loopholes in legislation protecting foxes and other wild animals.
There is no limit in Scotland to the number of dogs that can be deployed in “flushing to guns”, which the government wants to reduce to two.
In a statement to parliament, Angus MSP Ms Gougeon added the bill will “include pre-emptive measures to address the likelihood of ‘trail-hunting’ becoming established in Scotland”.
Fox hunting with dogs was banned in Scotland by the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act in 2002.
An exception is when dogs may be used to stalk or flush out a fox to be shot for purposes including the control of pest species and protecting livestock.
Trail-hunting sees dogs following a scent along a set route without involving a live fox.
But campaigners say the law only criminalises intentional killings of foxes and not reckless hunts where hounds pick up a real scent.
The bill will implement many of the findings from Lord Bonomy’s review into the subject, which included independent monitoring of hunts.
Ms Gougeon said: “I’m pleased to say that we will be taking forward many of the recommendations in Lord Bonomy’s report to clarify and strengthen the Protection of Wild Mammals Act.”
