
News
Share
Published 14:27 10 Dec 2021 GMT
Hunters traditionally display their 'trophies' on walls (Photo: iStock)[/caption]
Eduardo Goncalves, founder of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, said the bill looks in "good shape" but noted it isn't clear when it will come into force in the UK. "It is really imperative for the Government to bring the Bill to Parliament as quickly as possible," he urged.
When it does come into force, individuals breaking the ban could land up to a five-year prison sentence.
Environment Secretary George Eustice said: "More animal species are now threatened with extinction than ever before in human history and we are appalled at the thought of hunters bringing back trophies and placing more pressure on some of our most iconic and endangered animals.
"This would be one of the toughest bans in the world, and goes beyond our manifesto commitment, meaning we will be leading the way in protecting endangered animals and helping to strengthen and support long-term conservation."
[caption id="attachment_305574" align="alignnone" width="2048"]
Rhino trophies will be banned from entering the UK (Photo: iStock)[/caption]
However, Dr Mark Jones, head of policy at animal charity Born Free, said he doesn't think the legislation goes far enough. Hunters will still be able to bring trophies into the UK that aren't from endangered animals.
He said: "Campaigners said they would have preferred a total ban on the import of hunting trophies on moral and ethical grounds rather than the Government’s focus on threatened animals."
In Africa, land that used to be for farming cattle has been turned into expansive hunting grounds for big game hunters. Many land owners say they earn more money from offering tourists the opportunity to shoot big game than they would from cattle farming.
In 2008, documentarian Louis Theroux visited South Africa to film a documentary about big game hunting. He heard from people paying to shoot animals and the people who have set up the captive spaces to house those animals.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has previously condemned big game hunting, once calling it a "disgusting trade."
Related links:
Tube strikes: Union rep ‘complained iPads being supplied by TfL too small to watch Netflix’
It comes during multiple days of strikes on the Underground The iPads being supplied to Tube drivers are “too small to watch Netflix”, a union rep has allegedly complained. It comes as London enters its second day of RMT strikes on the Underground. It has been reported that the strikes centred around the introduction of […]
News
2h
Universal’s £6bn UK Theme Park officially named
Taxpayers are set to stump up over £1bn Universal’s £6bn Theme Park which is coming to the UK has officially been named. The attraction is set to be constructed on the site of the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks near Bedford and would create an estimated 28,000 jobs. The park, expected to open in 2031, will […]
News
4h
News
Major energy firm to pay out millions to customers after rule breaches
News