Ruth Jones has introduced a bill seeking a statutory close season for brown hares in England and Wales.
The Labour MP for Newport West and Islwyn proposes banning the killing or taking of brown hares from the beginning of February until the end of September.
Jones argued that the current absence of a close season leaves breeding hares exposed to organised shoots in February and March. She said voluntary protections had not prevented long-term population decline.
The bill would also make it generally unlawful to intentionally or recklessly kill, injure or take a mountain hare without a licence, extending protections already in force in Scotland.
It would repeal the seasonal prohibition on the sale of hares contained in legislation dating from 1892. Jones said the modern priority should be protecting animals during their breeding season rather than regulating sale dates.
The Commons agreed to the bill's introduction and gave it a second-reading date of 19 March 2027. As a Ten Minute Rule Bill, it has begun the parliamentary process but has not been adopted as government legislation.
