Wildlife Welfare

Wild Brown Hare Welfare and Agriculture

Brown hare welfare is significantly affected by agricultural practices from mechanical harvesting to pesticide use, with population recovery requiring sympathetic land management.

Key Facts

Brown hare populations remain well below historical levels despite some local recovery
Hare coursing causes welfare harm and is illegal in the UK but still occurs
Agricultural machinery kills leverets during silage cutting and crop harvesting
Agri-environment scheme field margins provide cover and food resources for hares
Brown hares breed above ground making young vulnerable throughout the spring and summer

Welfare Considerations

Brown hare welfare is deeply intertwined with agricultural management, from mechanical killing during harvesting to habitat provision through field margin schemes. Sympathetic farming practices that account for hare breeding biology directly improve welfare outcomes for this declining species.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment schemes that create and maintain hare habitat
Advocate for pre-mow checks for leverets in agricultural areas
Report hare coursing to police as this illegal activity causes direct welfare harm