In my view, trophy-hunting is abhorrent. The Government is committed to doing all it can to support wildlife and the environment, both in the UK and internationally, and I am pleased that the recent Queen's Speech reaffirmed that Ministers will be delivering on the manifesto commitment to ban the import of hunting trophies from endangered species.
Climate change and global biodiversity decline are interlinked threats for wildlife and people. Biodiversity is declining at a dangerous and unprecedented speed, and species extinction rates are accelerating, with up to a million species threatened. Overexploitation is one of the drivers of species extinction and additional pressures on vulnerable species can result from unsustainable or inappropriately managed activity.
In the 25 Year Environment Plan, the Government committed to providing international leadership in protecting biodiversity and endangered species and ensuring that the UK’s domestic policy does not threaten the conservation of species abroad. The proposed ban on imports of hunting trophies goes beyond the manifesto commitment and, with no exemptions, means that the UK will be leading the way in protecting endangered animals and to strengthening and supporting long-term conservation.
I am aware that the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill has now been introduced to Parliament and I look forward to supporting this Bill as it continues to progress through Parliament.
To assure you further, Ministers are also looking at further measures to protect animals abroad, including banning the import and export of detached fins, and acting against low welfare animal experiences.