Stephen has written to the Environment Secretary, George Eustice, asking that he fulfil the Government’s pledge of banning the import of trophy-hunted animals.
Trophy hunting is the legal killing of selected animals for entertainment. Every year, hundreds of endangered animals are killed, and their trophies are brought back to the UK. Hunting in this way often leads to animals suffering slow and painful deaths. It also worsens the decline of threatened species. An import ban would discourage this type of unethical hunting in the UK as well as abroad.
Last December, the Government announced that it intends to ban the import of hunting trophies from nearly 7,000 species. It also stated it will introduce legislation to deliver this.
In his letter, Stephen asked the Government to renew and continue its commitment to banning the import of trophy-hunted animals.
After sending the letter, Stephen said “I am troubled to learn that no legislation has yet been published despite the Government’s commitment. I hope the Government will act on its promise.”