London, 25th November 2022
Today (Friday 25th November), the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) has welcomed the Second Reading of Patron Henry Smith MP’s Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill.
The commitment to ban trophy hunting imports was included in both the Conservative Manifesto 2019, and also Defra’s world-leading Action Plan for Animal Welfare published in 2021.
In March this year polling showed overwhelming support for the policy of banning trophy hunting imports. Amongst voters polled, 86% agreed that the UK Government should ban trophy hunters from bringing back trophies of hunted animals as soon as possible, and amongst Conservative voters this was 92%. You can read the full briefing here.
Last month several MPs alongside British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes spoke out against trophy hunting imports at Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation’s World Animal Day reception in memory of late Patron Sir David Amess, hosted at Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham by Jane Stevenson MP.
Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation Patron Sir Roger Gale MP also Chairs the APPG on Banning Trophy Hunting, which has been campaigning for a ban on hunting trophy imports for many years.
Above top: CAWF Co-Founders Chris and Lorraine Platt gather with Andrea Jenkyns MP, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, CAWF Patron Anna Firth MP, host Jane Stevenson MP and Mark Francois MP at the World Animal Day reception in memory of Sir David Amess MP. Above below: Sir Ranulph Fiennes supports the campaign to end hunting trophy imports.
Lorraine Platt, Co-Founder of Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, commented: “Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation is delighted to welcome the Second Reading of our Patron Henry Smith’s Bill to end the import of hunting trophies. This was a key Conservative Party Manifesto pledge, and one that aligns significantly with public sentiment, particularly amongst Conservative voters. Only in ending imports can the UK truly take a stand against the appalling practice of trophy hunting abroad.
“Indeed, by banning trophy hunting imports, we can send a strong message to the rest of the world that the UK does not tolerate the killing of iconic species such as rhinos, lions, and elephants by a minority of individuals for recreation. We look forward to supporting this Bill through its next stages in Parliament, and seeing this important Manifesto pledge delivered.”
Updated on 26th January 2023:
Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation welcomes the Committee Stage of Patron Henry Smith MP’s Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill
London, 26th January 2023
Yesterday (Wednesday 25th January) the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) welcomed the Committee Stage of Patron Henry Smith MP’s Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill.
This followed the Second Reading which took place on 25th November 2022, where many MPs including Patron Anna Firth and Patron Sir Roger Gale spoke in support of the Bill. You can watch these contributions on the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation YouTube channel here.
The Committee members included Jane Stevenson, Anna Firth MP, Kerry McCarthy MP, John Spellar MP, Wendy Chamberlain MP and Sammy Wilson MP. It concluded with a statement from Defra Minister Trudy Harrison MP who praised the Bill and reiterated strong Government support for the measures it includes. At the end of the session Henry Smith dedicated the Committee Stage to CAWF’s late Patron Sir David Amess MP who passed away in October 2021, citing his hard work to see an end to trophy hunting imports in the UK.
The commitment to ban trophy hunting imports was included in both the Conservative Manifesto 2019, and also Defra’s world-leading Action Plan for Animal Welfare published in 2021.
In March last year polling showed overwhelming support for the policy of banning trophy hunting imports. Amongst voters polled, 86% agreed that the UK Government should ban trophy hunters from bringing back trophies of hunted animals as soon as possible, and amongst Conservative voters this was 92%. You can read the full briefing here.
In October 2022 several MPs alongside British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes spoke out against trophy hunting imports at Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation’s World Animal Day reception in memory of late Patron Sir David Amess, hosted at Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham by Jane Stevenson MP.
Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation Patron Sir Roger Gale MP also Chairs the APPG on Banning Trophy Hunting, which has been campaigning for a ban on hunting trophy imports for many years.
Lorraine Platt, Co-Founder of Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, commented: “Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation is delighted to welcome the Committee Stage of our Patron Henry Smith’s Bill to end the import of hunting trophies. This is an important opportunity for MPs to consider the Bill and ensure it is effective in scope and robust in practice.
“The commitment to end trophy hunting imports was a key Conservative Party Manifesto pledge, and one that aligns significantly with public sentiment, particularly amongst Conservative voters. Only in ending imports can the UK truly take a stand against the appalling practice of trophy hunting abroad.
“We look forward to supporting this Bill through its next stages in Parliament, and seeing this important Manifesto pledge delivered.”
About Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF)
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation was established in 2016 to raise awareness on the lives of billions of animals reared on intensive farms around the world and how this impact upon animal welfare, the environment and people’s health. We want to highlight the action people can take to help advance farm animal welfare.
Animal welfare is an increasing concern amongst the public, who frequently look to Government to take the lead in both maintaining and improving standards.
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation believes it is highly important that the welfare of farm animals is placed at the forefront of the Governments plan for food and farming along with its focus on productivity, competitiveness, and technology.
Media contact: Sophia Stileman (sophia.stileman@conservativeanimalwelfarefoundation.org)
