Landmark law banning imports of hunting trophies receives Lords stamp of approval

Legislation, which is currently before the House of Lords, would prevent hunting tourists from importing animal skins, severed heads and carcasses after filming abroad

The Mirror-Backed Hunting Trophies (Import Ban) Bill aims to prevent sick hunters from bringing their souvenirs back to Britain (

Image: copyright unknown)

A landmark law to ban imports of hunting trophies was approved by the Lords this afternoon.

Mirror-backed Hunting Trophies Bill aims to prevent sick hunters from bringing their souvenirs back to Britain.

The legislation would prevent hunting tourists from importing animal skins, severed heads and carcasses after filming overseas.

Peers debated the bill for hours yesterday, with many voicing fierce criticism.

They claimed that lost revenue from trophy hunting could impact conservation projects aimed at protecting wildlife.

However, in a victory for the Mirror campaign in favor of the ban, the bill passed second reading with unanimous support from its peers. It will now be considered by the Lords of the Bill committee.

The Mirror campaigned to ban imports of hunting trophies (

Picture:

DailyMirror)

Tory counterpart Baroness Fookes, who is sponsoring the bill, said: "Those who watch the wonderful wildlife films we see now and the far greater insights that science has provided about the wonderful relationship between animals and threats where this is greatly disturbed will wonder why anyone would actually want to bring back trophies from slaughtered animals, which, let's face it, are in grave danger.

"I believe that, however small the role of this bill, we have a role to play in trying to ensure the conservation of these precious species."

Labour fellow Baroness Hayman of Ullock said: "I don't think trophy hunting helps save our planet. I believe it is driven by trophy hunters' desire to kill and then I believe that as people of this planet, it is our responsibility to fix this problem, because losing such important animals would be a terrible loss.

“In my opinion, trophy hunting is cruel, inhumane and unjustifiable. It is also morally reprehensible. Killing animals for so-called sport or as a form of entertainment is unnecessary and cruel. »

But crossbencher Lord St John of Bletso, who sits on the board of Tusk, a wildlife conservation charity, said: "Although I don't like the practice of trophy hunting , evidence shows that properly regulated and managed wild trophy hunting plays an important role in wildlife conservation.