Regardless of an election pledge to ban the import of looking trophies, Keir Starmer’s Authorities has did not act
Herd of strolling elephants, South Africa (Picture: Getty Photographs/500px Prime)
Large sport hunters introduced dwelling trophies taken from useless elephants, lions, hippopotamus, giraffes, bears and crocodiles – regardless of a Labour election promise to ban this, new figures confirmed.
Within the first 9 months of the Authorities, 28 import permits have been granted between July 2024 and March 2025.
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There have been 16 permits for African elephants, 4 for hippopotamuses, three for American black bears, three for brown bears and one every for Nile crocodiles, giraffes and lions.
Nonetheless in its 2024 election manifesto, Labour mentioned it could ban the import of looking trophies, however no motion has been taken.
Inexperienced Social gathering MP Adrian Ramsay, who raised the difficulty in a parliamentary query, mentioned: “For a nation of animal lovers, the continued import of so-called ‘looking trophies’ goes towards the center of British values of compassion.
“Like many guarantees made on the election, there was little progress from the Labour celebration on delivering a ban. I’ve been continuously pushing the Authorities.
“I do know there may be cross-party help amongst MPs to finish trophy imports altogether.”
He added: “The variety of import permits being accredited is kind of frankly astonishing. Even one allow permitting animals killed in such a merciless approach to be introduced into the nation is one too many and a complete failure of management from the Authorities.”
The decision to ban looking trophies gathered tempo following the worldwide outcry over the killing of Cecil the lion by crossbow in 2015.
The 13-year-old black-maned lion was a significant attraction at Zimbabwe’s Hwange Nationwide Park however he was illegally lured out of the park, shot and left to endure for 10 hours earlier than being skinned, and beheaded by an American leisure hunter.
Shadow Defra Minister Dr Neil Hudson added: “Final yr we marked 10 years because the tragic killing of Cecil the lion – a second which caught the world’s consideration and ignited world outrage and the marketing campaign to ban the import of looking trophies into the UK.
“But, regardless of the outcry, the worldwide trophy looking trade has continued unabated.
“Cecil’s story sadly was not distinctive and yearly trophy hunters kill tens of 1000’s of those treasured and majestic animals all over the world.”
He added: “Trophy looking is a barbaric and outdated observe which must be consigned to the historical past books. These majestic animals ought to solely be shot with cameras, not with deadly weapons.
“Right here within the UK we’ve got a few of the highest animal welfare requirements on this planet, and I’m proud that our nation has proven world management on this regard. We are able to and should take motion now and I urge the Authorities to behave to get this ban over the road.”
Shut up of a hippo strolling towards the digicam with sleek demeanor at Masai Mara, Kenya (Picture: Getty Photographs)
Campaigners additionally known as on the Authorities to honour its promise.
Born Free mentioned its personal polling forward of the election discovered 85% of Britons supported a ban.
Within the decade to 2023, there have been 431 imports of looking trophies from 60 species listed on the Conference on Worldwide Commerce in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora appendices.
Dr Mark Jones, the wildlife charity’s head of coverage, mentioned: “These included 96 trophies derived from African elephants, 115 from hippos, 99 from lions, 39 from leopards, and 4 from rhinos, amongst many others.
“So the truth that 28 import permits have been issued within the first 9 months of Labour’s tenure in workplace, which started in 2024, whereas stunning, is no surprise.
“The Labour celebration got here into workplace on the again of its manifesto, so till a ban is launched, many citizens are being let down.
“Whereas a UK import ban wouldn’t in and of itself, convey an finish to trophy looking, it could ship a transparent message that the UK doesn’t help this heinous and damaging exercise.”
A Defra spokesperson mentioned: “The Authorities stays dedicated to introducing a ban on the import of looking trophies from species of conservation concern.
“We’re rigorously contemplating all obtainable choices to usher in a ban as quickly as parliamentary time permits.”
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