Tories told to outline plan to ban trophy hunting imports as election looms

17 December 2023 , 19:00

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Trophy hunters bring home their sick souvenirs after shoots abroad (Image: Shutterstock)

The Tories have been urged to set out how they plan to ban trophy hunting imports as the clock ticks down to a general election.

The party pledged to stop British hunters bringing back their sick souvenirs from shooting trips abroad. But a Private Member’s Bill - supported by the Mirror - to introduce the ban was thwarted in the Lords, jeopardising moves to introduce a ban. There are renewed fears the legislation may not get on the Statute Book before voters go to the polls.

In a letter to the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, seen by the Mirror, Environment Minister Rebecca Pow insisted: “The Government fully supported the Hunting Trophies Bill during its passage through Parliament. Whilst I recognise that there is considerable debate about trophy hunting of endangered animals, I share your disappointment that the Bill did not pass Committee stage in the House of Lords. We will continue working to deliver this important manifesto commitment, which has overwhelming support from MPs and the public.”

But she failed to outline how the Government will deliver on the manifesto pledge. Explorer and animal rights campaigner Sir Ranulph Fiennes told the Mirror: “This farce has gone on long enough. It’s time the Government got on with the ban they promised to deliver in 2019.”

He said “British trophy hunters are laughing at the delays and the blocking of the ban”, adding: “They have gleefully carried on shooting lions, elephants, giraffes and hippos for ‘fun’. This has got to stop. The Government must bring back the Bill that fell in the Lords or bring in a new Bill as quickly as possible. We need tough action against these barbaric sadists. Nothing less will do.”

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The Private Member's Bill, led by Tory backbench MP Henry Smith, would have stopped hunting tourists importing animal skins, severed heads and carcasses after shoots abroad. But Conservative peers, including some who support hunting, delivered a string of lengthy speeches as the clock ticked towards the debate’s deadline in the House of Lords in September, meaning it could not proceed.

The legislation fell when Parliament was prorogued ahead of the King's Speech in November, and ministers are yet to reveal their plans for banning the imports.

Ben Glaze