Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Hunting Trophy Import Ban

Thursday 19 December 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions took place on 2024-12-19 regarding the importation of hunting trophies.
  • Wera Hobhouse inquired about the timetable for legislation to ban imports of hunting trophies.
  • Josh Newbury asked the Minister for confirmation on plans to ban trail hunting.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The issue has been ongoing for a decade since the killing of Cecil the lion, and there is cross-party support for banning trophy hunting.

Question

It has been 10 years since the senseless killing of Cecil the lion. It is still legal to import hunting trophies into this country. There has for a long time been cross-party support for banning trophy hunting. In 2023, the Labour party asked the then Conservative Government, “What is stopping you bringing in legislation? Stop the dither and delay.” Why are this Government still dithering and delaying?

Answer from Mary Creagh

With the greatest of respect, the hon. Lady's party was in government for five years, and the Conservative party was in government for 14 years. It is always good after five months in office to be criticised for previous failures. I agree with the hon. Lady that the Conservatives cannot be trusted on animal welfare. They failed to pass the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill, which would have stopped selfish hunters who slaughter and display endangered animals' body parts for their own perverse self-gratification.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline or legislative vehicle for banning trophy imports

How: With The Greatest Of Respect, It Is Always Good After Five Months In Office To Be Criticised For Previous Failures

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Q2 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Environment
Context

The UK has a long history of championing the global conservation of endangered species, and there is cross-party support for banning trophy hunting.

Question

What his planned timetable is for the introduction of legislation to ban imports of hunting trophies.

Answer from Mary Creagh

The UK has a long history of championing the global conservation of endangered species. We are in the process of extending the Ivory Act 2018 to include four further species—hippopotamus, killer whale, narwhal and sperm whale—in addition to elephants. The Government have also committed to banning the import of hunting trophies. We are considering the most effective way to do so.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timetable for introducing legislation

How: We Are Considering The Most Effective Way To Do So

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Q3 Josh Newbury Lab Cannock Chase
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Following the last Labour Government's historic foxhunting ban, there is a call for an end to trail hunting.

Question

Merry Christmas, Mr Speaker. This time of year brings festive cheer, but it also brings the Boxing day hunts. Alongside many of my constituents, I am keen to see an end to the smoke- screen that is trail hunting. Following the last Labour Government's historic foxhunting ban, will the Minister confirm this Labour Government's commitment to banning trail hunting once and for all?

Answer from Mary Creagh

We have indeed committed to a ban on trail hunting, which will provide significant protections to wild animals, including foxes and hares. Work to determine the best approach for doing so is ongoing, and further announcements will be made in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline or legislative vehicle for banning trail hunting

How: Work To Determine The Best Approach For Doing So Is Ongoing

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