UK MPs back hunting trophy import ban as bill moves closer to law
UK MPs have backed legislation aiming to stop big game hunters from bringing the body parts of endangered and threatened animals back into the country.
UK MPs have backed legislation aiming to stop big game hunters from bringing the body parts of endangered and threatened animals back into the country. The measure has faced a protracted legislative journey across multiple parliamentary sessions.
An earlier attempt to pass the legislation ran out of time in Parliament due to opposition from a small minority of peers in the House of Lords. Conservative MP Henry Smith stated that his own attempt to get an earlier version of the bill through Parliament ran out of time when a very small minority of peers sought to block the legislation. Campaigners and politicians have continued to press for action, warning that further delays cost animal lives and allow more trophies to enter the country.
Media additions
Public and cross-party backing for the restriction remains exceptionally high. Research cited by outlets indicates that large majorities of voters support a ban, alongside widespread backing from high-profile cultural figures and religious leaders, including the Catholic Church's environmental spokesperson, Bishop John Arnold. Activists recently gathered outside Parliament with giant inflatable animals, as detailed in reports, demanding that ministers allocate sufficient parliamentary time to push the bill across the finish line.
Opposition to the legislation persists. Opponents, including academic researchers such as Prof. Amy Dickman of Oxford University's WildCRU, have argued that regulated trophy hunting generates vital revenue for local communities and funds conservation efforts against illegal poaching. Similar arguments have been raised internationally. US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum wrote to UK ministers urging them to reconsider the policy, warning that it will hurt local economies, conservation efforts and cultural sensitivities in the US. Reports noted that the Trump administration had been lobbying ministers on the matter.
Despite these interventions, government ministers have repeatedly reaffirmed their commitment to stopping the trade. Environment minister Mary Creagh noted that work is ongoing to determine the most effective legislative approach, while other officials have emphasized that the government intends to introduce measures when parliamentary time allows.
| Source / Outlet | Reported Import Permits / Statistics | Key Stated Concern |
|---|---|---|
| BBC | 190 trophies from CITES-listed species imported in 2020 | Legislation repeatedly stalled by parliamentary delays and opposition peers |
| The Independent | Cross-party calls referencing 10 years since the death of Cecil the lion | Frustration over delayed legislation following previous failed animal welfare bills |
| Gibraltar Chronicle | Around 300 trophies shipped to the UK in the two years following initial pledges | Desire for a total moral ban rather than a focus solely on threatened species |
| The Mirror | At least 33 import permits issued to UK hunters since the 2024 election | Intense lobbying from US administration officials and hunting industry donors |
The ongoing debate arrives alongside broader discussions on animal welfare legislation, including calls to address loopholes in related practices such as trail hunting ahead of seasonal events, as highlighted by The Independent. Meanwhile, regional advocacy continues to push local leaders to adopt firm stances on wildlife protection, mirroring campaigns directed at figures like Andy Burnham covered by the Oxford Mail.
What to Watch Next
- Further parliamentary scrutiny and upcoming readings as the private members' bill and government proposals progress through the legislative stages.
- Potential scheduling announcements from Defra regarding the inclusion of the ban in upcoming parliamentary sessions.
- Continued campaigns from animal welfare organizations and celebrity advocates pressing ministers for a definitive implementation timetable.
For more updates on legislative developments, visit our Politics coverage.
