Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, has hailed the House of Commons passing the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill, introduced by Crawley MP Henry Smith last year to legislate for a historic ban on trophy hunting imports into this country.
The local MP was present at the Second Reading of the Bill in Parliament recently and gave a speech in support of the Bill.
He said: "I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Crawley (Henry Smith) for his brilliant work on this much-needed Bill, and on the broader issue of animal welfare. The UK is playing a leading role in standing up for animal welfare around the world.
"Through the action plan for animal welfare, the Government have introduced—and continue to introduce —a series of vital reforms in areas such as animal sentience, farm animal welfare and international advocacy. Last year, the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill became law, which saw the introduction of some of the strictest sanctions in Europe for animal cruelty offences. The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill aims to fortify protections for pets, livestock and kept wild animals. Through that legislation, the Conservative party is delivering on our 2019 manifesto commitments, and I look forward to its return to the House when parliamentary time allows.
"On the central issue of hunting trophies, I am sure that many hon. Members have seen images on social media of hunters standing over slain lions or elephants. These are appalling acts of needless violence that are having a damaging effect on global conservation efforts. It is high time that the UK played its part in cracking down on that practice.
"The report by the APPG on banning trophy hunting is damning and eye-opening. In it, we hear about the extensive operation behind trophy hunting, where online forums advertise so-called trophy hunting holidays. It is not my kind of holiday—nor one that would be enjoyed by any hon. Members. The hunting industry is seemingly driven by organisations offering prestigious prizes for shooting a certain number of species. Perhaps, when hunters cannot bring back their trophies to the UK, the motivation for travelling across the world to kill endangered animals will be far less powerful."
Henry Smith MP said: “My thanks to Ben Everitt MP for their support in highlighting the need for a ban on imports of hunting trophies of endangered animals.
“The House of Commons passing this legislation today marks an important moment in ensuring that this pledge to support conservation becomes a reality.
“I’m grateful to the Government for supporting my Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill and I look forward to it now progressing through the House of Lords.
“Our country does not want to be part of a trade in the body parts of endangered species. Today the Commons sent this message loud and clear.
“On this day, my thoughts are very much with the family and friends of our late colleague, Sir David Amess, who was taken from us far too soon.
“Sir David was a tireless campaigner for the banning of trophy hunting imports. I hope that he would have been proud of this legislation being passed by the Commons today.”
The Crawley MP and the Government accepted two amendments to the Bill at report stage; including the introduction of an Advisory Board on Hunting Trophies.
The Bill will protect animals listed by the internationally agreed Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Henry’s legislation would ban British hunters from bringing body part ‘trophies’ of endangered and vulnerable animals into Great Britain.
Being approved by MPs at report stage and third reading today marks the conclusion of the Bill’s passage through the Commons, ahead of it being scrutinised further in the House of Lords on a date to be confirmed.
This follows the Crawley MP introducing the Bill in the Commons on 15th June 2022, it passing second reading on 25th November, and passing committee stage on 25th January of this year.
The International Biodiversity Minister, Trudy Harrison, added: “This is a pivotal moment in delivering one of our key manifesto commitments on international conservation and animal welfare.
“Using an internationally agreed list of species, this will play an important part in helping reverse the decline of wildlife across the world.
“I look forward to it becoming an Act of Parliament.”