Since the 1980s, an estimated 25,000 trophy animals have been brought into the UK. Trophy hunting increases the threats endangered species face, with its impact for example on African lion populations – which have declined from an estimated 200,000 in the 1970s to less than 20,000 today – found to be the “single most significant effect” according to Oxford University research. Other popular animals shot by British trophy hunters include African elephants, hippopotamuses, black bears, leopards, zebras, and chacma baboons.
As a long-standing animal welfare campaigner, Andrew Rosindell M.P. was hence delighted to give his wholehearted supported to the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill, which passed its second reading on Friday 25th November in the House of Commons and now moves to the Committee Stage.
The Bill was introduced as a Private Member’s Bill by Conservative M.P. Henry Smith. The Bill will prohibit the import of endangered species as hunting trophies into Great Britain, helping to reduce the threats the species face.
Andrew Rosindell M.P. commented:
“As a long-standing campaigner on animal welfare over the last two decades, I am very pleased to back this Bill which delivers on our manifesto commitment to ban the import of hunting trophies from endangered animals abroad. The ban will be among the strongest in the world and is a testament to Britain being a nation of animal lovers that takes animal welfare very seriously.
As Chairman of the Zoo A.P.P.G., I have met several U.K. wildlife and animal welfare groups throughout my time as a Member of Parliament – and I am delighted that they too back this piece of legislation.”
This Bill builds on previous measures such as the Ivory Act, which Andrew Rosindell M.P. also voted for. Introduced in June 2022, this is one of the toughest bans on the ivory trade in the world.
