Postcards deliver unequivocal message on hunting trophies to No.10
Born Free joined the hand-in of more than 22,000 signatures from members of the public calling for a ban on trophy hunting imports.
Representatives from Born Free, Humane World for Animals UK and Four Paws UK at Number 10 Downing Street
Animal welfare campaigners today delivered postcards signed by more than 22,000 people to Downing Street, calling on Andy Burnham’s new government to finally ban trophy hunting imports into the UK.
The hand-in was organised by Born Free, Humane World for Animals UK and FOUR PAWS UK as part of their joint ‘Wish You Weren’t Here’ campaign, urging the Government to honour a manifesto commitment to introduce a long-awaited ban on the import of hunting trophies.
Despite repeated political commitments and strong public support for action, hunting trophies from threatened and internationally protected wild animals can still be legally imported into the UK by applying for a permit.
Dr Mark Jones, Head of Policy, Born Free said: “Trophy hunting is a cruel relic of a colonial era, where the lives of sentient animals, often from threatened species, are brutally cut short by wealthy, typically foreign hunters in the name of ‘sport’. The promised ban on trophy imports to the UK is long overdue, and the UK public have repeatedly made it clear that they wish hunting trophies weren’t here. The government must follow the lead of Belgium, the Netherlands and France, and end the UK’s involvement in this gruesome and damaging practice.”
The campaign was fronted by actress Evanna Lynch and award-winning comedian Daniel Foxx, who appeared in a satirical short film highlighting the absurdity of customs rules which make it harder to import a cheese sandwich than to bring in body parts of wild animals killed for sport.
Daniel Foxx said: “At a time when human activity is already wiping out species all over the world, trophy hunting feels like a particularly selfish and cruel act. The government needs to make good on its promise to protect our rarest and most beautiful creatures, bring in a ban and send a message to the world that killing animals for souvenirs is not okay.”