MPbacks animal billplea
Calls have made for the UK Government to live up to its animal welfare commitments, including a ban on the import of hunting trophies to the UK.
The plea was backed by Kirsten Oswald, MP for East Renfrewshire, who joined the team at Humane Society International UK (HSIUK) at a parliamentary event that welcomed over 130 Parliamentarians, celebrities and campaign supporters
Attendees heard the UK Government Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustice, reaffirm his government’s commitment to a ban on importing hunting trophies to the UK and that the legislation would be introduced in the next Parliamentary session.
HSIUK remains concerned at the lack of clarity or timeframe for the anticipated Animals Abroad Bill. This was pledged in the UK Government’s 2021 Animal Welfare Action Plan to include bans on importing hunting trophies and shark fin products, and to prohibit advertising of low welfare tourism activities overseas such as elephant rides.
Many guests at the reception were shocked by a new hard-hitting undercover investigation of the grim reality of the US fur trapping industry showing the brutal treatment of animals caught in the wild for their fur – fur that is still legally sold in the UK.
Actor Peter Egan, and Brian May, Queen guitarist, attended the event and were horrified at the results of the investigation. Following the event, Brian reaffirmed his call for a #FurFreeBritain to the three million followers of his Instagram page.
Ms Oswald said: “HSIUK put together a very powerful case outlining to parliamentarians and guests why we need the UK Government to move forward urgently on banning the import of hunting trophies and its wider animal welfare commitments.
“It is good to see celebrities such as Brian May and Peter Egan pressing for action on animal welfare, but it is also important that members of the public express their support, which is why I am so pleased to receive many messages from constituents on trophy hunting and other animal welfare issues.
“I was pleased that government ministers attended the event to see for themselves the reality of how animals are hunted and trapped in the wild. I welcome the fact that they took the time to do that, but they now need to persuade their colleagues in government that it is time to act.”