Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon & East Thurrock, has hailed the passing of the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill in the House of Commons which was introduced by Henry Smith, MP for Crawley, last year, to legislate for a historic ban on imports of hunting trophies into this country.
Stephen Metcalfe said: “I’m delighted that the House of Commons has backed the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill.
This important piece of legislation supports conservation and animal welfare and would ban body part ‘trophies’ of endangered and vulnerable animals from being brought into Great Britain.
I know many residents in Basildon and Thurrock back the Bill – the House of Commons has been crystal clear in its support today.”
Henry Smith MP said: “My thanks to Stephen Metcalfe MP for his support in highlighting the need for a ban on imports of hunting trophies of endangered animals.
The House of Commons passing this legislation today marks an important moment in ensuring that this pledge to support conservation becomes a reality.
I’m grateful to the Government for supporting my Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill and I look forward to it now progressing through the House of Lords.
Our country does not want to be part of a trade in the body parts of endangered species. Today the Commons sent this message loud and clear.
On this day, my thoughts are very much with the family and friends of our late colleague, Sir David Amess, who was taken from us far too soon.
Sir David was a tireless campaigner for the banning of trophy hunting imports. I hope that he would have been proud of this legislation being passed by the Commons today.”
The Crawley MP and the Government accepted two amendments to the Bill at report stage – including the introduction of an Advisory Board on Hunting Trophies.
The Bill will protect animals listed by the internationally agreed Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Henry’s legislation would ban British hunters from bringing body part ‘trophies’ of endangered and vulnerable animals into Great Britain.
Being approved by MPs at report stage and its third reading on Friday marks the conclusion of the Bill’s passage through the Commons, ahead of it being scrutinised further in the House of Lords on a date to be confirmed.
This follows the Crawley MP introducing the Bill to the Commons on 15 June 2022, guiding the Bill through its second reading on 25 November, and passing committee stage on 25 January of this year.
The International Biodiversity Minister, Trudy Harrison, said: “This is a pivotal moment in delivering one of our key manifesto commitments on international conservation and animal welfare.
Using an internationally agreed list of species, this will play an important part in helping reverse the decline of wildlife across the world.
I look forward to it becoming an Act of Parliament.”
