Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, has hailed the passing of the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill introduced by Crawley MP, Henry Smith, through the Commons.
The Bill aims to protect animals listed by the internationally agreed Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) by banning British hunters from importing body part ‘trophies’ of endangered and vulnerable animals into Great Britain.
The only Veterinary Surgeon in the House of Commons, Dr Hudson was proud to support the Bill.
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 has now passed to the House of Lords which will have its say before hopefully becoming law.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
“This is excellent news, rightly cementing the UK’s position as a world leader in the field of animal health and welfare. Considering the overwhelming number of wild animals threatened by human activity, banning the import of hunting ‘trophies’ is exactly the right and moral decision.
“From the correspondence and dialogue I’ve had with constituents, it is clear the people of Penrith and The Border back the Bill and as an MP and vet I am proud to do the same.
“I congratulate my colleague Henry Smith on securing Government support and wish the Bill well as it passes through the Lords.”
Henry Smith, MP for Crawley, added:
“My thanks to Dr Neil Hudson 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 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.”
