DEFRA likely to pursue hunting trophy ban

Hunters and conservationists react after media reports suggest proposed plans to ban trophy imports will move forward

DEFRA plans to ‘push ahead’ with a ban on hunting trophy imports, according to reports.

The proposal for a ban, which met with criticism from shooting groups, hunters and conservationists, was contained in the Conservative’s election manifesto but no legislation has been put before parliament. However, it seems that the Government intends to forge ahead with the plan.

An article on the trade in lion parts in the Independent carried a quote from a DEFRA spokesperson, who said: “There is a clear manifesto commitment to ban the import of hunting trophies from endangered animals and we continue to work to end this shocking trade.”

The quote provoked an angry response from the president of the CIC, who, in a letter to DEFRA seen by ST, said: “Policy changes that affect the movement of trophies will undoubtedly have a significant negative effect on both wildlife populations and human livelihoods.”

A few days later the Daily Telegraph quoted a ‘source close to the Prime Minister’ as saying: “It can’t be right that endangered and defenceless animals should be shot for pleasure and their mortal remains stuffed on the mantelpieces of this country.”

Boris Johnson’s father, Stanley Johnson, recently backed the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting and his partner, Carrie

Symonds, has been an outspoken critic of trophy hunting. Ms Symonds was involved in promoting the claim that British hunters were involved in Trophy Puffin hunting, which was debunked by Shooting Times.

Environment minister Zac Goldsmith signalled his determination to push the ban on earlier this year when he told an audience in the Houses of Parliament that he hoped a DEFRA consultation would ‘unpick’ the arguments made by conservationists in favour of trophy hunting, adding: “How can it be good for an endangered species when the healthiest and most magnificent among them are the first to be shot?”

Shooting Times approached DEFRA for an update, and a spokesperson said: “There is a clear manifesto commitment to ban the import of hunting trophies from endangered animals and we are continuing to work on this important issue.”

“Changes will have a negative effect on wildlife populations and human livelihoods”

Big game trophies could be coming off the cabinet