Campaigners blast underhand ambush by Peers as trophy hunting import ban s…

CAMPAIGNERS have accused some peers of an “underhand ambush” on a Government-backed bill to ban the import of hunting trophies.

The Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill failed to pass its committee stage reading in the House of Lords. 

The 2019 Conservative manifesto committed to ban imports of souvenirs from endangered species in Great Britain. 

The Bill has support from all parties and is backed by the Government but several amendments put forward by a minority of members of the House of Lords have “severely threatened” the chance of the Bill becoming law, campaigners said.

Humane Society International/UK (HSI UK) called the attempts an “underhand ambush”.

READ MORE Trophy hunter shoots elephant dead – before herd take out revenge

Claire Bass, senior director of campaigns and public affairs at HSI UK, said: “It is exasperating that a small group of pro-hunting Peers has tried to hijack this hugely popular Bill that would deliver a Conservative manifesto commitment to ban hunting trophy imports. 

“A UK ban on importing these sick souvenirs has the backing of the Government, the Commons and over 80 per cent of the British public. 

“Tuesday night’s Lords debate saw some shameful and undignified accusations levelled at both the Government and opposition benches, amidst an onslaught of time-wasting amendments.  

“The Government must keep its resolve and bring this Bill back to the Lords urgently to deliver the promised hunting trophy import ban.” 

Don’t miss…
Watch the moment helpless dolphins are tagged turning the sea into a bloodbath[EXCLUSIVE]
Wildlife officers snare poachers trafficking huge £95K elephant ivory haul[LATEST]
Walker finds dog wrapped in plastic dumped on popular walking trail[WATCH]

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

With more than 60 amendments proposed to the draft legislation by opponents, time is running out to consider the Bill and it will fall if it does not receive royal assent before the end of the current parliamentary session ahead of the King’s Speech on November 7.

The upcoming party conference recess running until October 16 further limits the time for debate.

Peter Kemple Hardy, campaigns director at World Animal Protection, said: “Animals shot by hunters typically do not die immediately but instead suffer in agony, in many cases for hours, before the hunters recover their bodies.

“Despite flimsy claims about financial benefit for local economies, most of the money made from trophy hunting does not filter through to local communities.

“Instead, it makes a cruel and wealthy few, wealthier and free to proudly inflict suffering under the guise of ‘sport’ or worse still ‘conservation’.  

“We demand that parliamentary time is found to ensure that the Bill becomes law.”

Source: Read Full Article