MPs and campaigners have spent years trying to introduce a ban on the importation of animal hunting trophies; a cruel and barbaric practice.

A ban has cross-party support, including from the Government, which promised to introduce one in its 2019 manifesto and its ‘Action Plan for Animal Welfare’. 

In the last Parliamentary session, we came very close to introducing a ban through the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill.  However, after passing through the House of Commons, the Bill was blocked in the House of Lords by 11 Peers who made the Bill run out of time by tabling more than 60 amendments and insisting on debating them individually. 

It makes a mockery of our democratic process that 11 unelected Lords could derail a popular, cross-party Bill that was introducing a measure that was in the Government’s manifesto.  This is yet another reason why the House of Lords is in dire need of replacement by a democratic alternative. 

However, the Government still has time to reintroduce this Bill and get it passed before the next General Election, if it wants to.  

I have therefore written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Barclay, and asked him to reintroduce and help pass a Bill to ban the importation of animal trophies.  I have posted a copy of this letter below for you to see.

I can assure you that I will continue to advocate for a ban on the importation of animal trophies into the UK.