Labour's trophy hunting hypocrisy has been exposed in Parliament, with a shocking 33 import permits for hunting trophies issued since the party came into power, despite promising to end the practice in the UK. Labour was elected on 4 July 2024, and between 1 July that year and 31 May 2026, the Animal and Plant Health Agency issued the permits under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Details of the Permits
The figures, revealed following a Written Question from MP Liz Jarvis, show imports include 18 African Bush Elephants, which are classed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. It also includes five Hippopotami, three black bears, two brown bears, a Nile crocodile, a giraffe and two panthers. A single permit does not necessarily equal one animal, as in some cases, multiple permits may be required for an individual animal.
Stalled Legislation
The Labour manifesto promised to ban the import of trophy hunting animals, but legislation to do so stalled in the House of Lords. The subject was noticeably absent from the King's Speech at the start of parliament. The ban is popular with the British public, with around nine in ten people viewing trophy hunting as unacceptable, according to a 2024 YouGov poll.
Eduardo Goncalves, founder of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, said: “This Labour government was elected on a manifesto that promised voters it would ban sick hunting trophies. Instead, Labour ministers have been quietly handing out special permits to British trophy hunters. These have enabled those hunters to bring home the bodies of animals they shot for so-called 'sport'. The delays in bringing the ban to parliament are baffling. Civil servants have already drafted the legislation. It has the support of the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and MPs of virtually every political party, including Reform. No other issue enjoys such cross-party consensus. It has the backing of 9 out of 10 voters too. What on earth are ministers waiting for?”
Political Reactions
Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh Ms Jarvis said: “Having questioned ministers on this issue in November last year and earlier this year, it is unacceptable that an exact timeframe for a ban is still yet to be introduced. It is appalling that the likes of rhinos, elephants and leopards are hunted for so-called trophies abroad, which are allowed to be brought back to the UK. Instead of taking decisive action, it appears that Ministers are kicking this issue into the long grass with half-hearted promises. There should be no place for trophy hunting imports in our country and a ban has to be implemented urgently. Endangered species cannot wait any longer.”
A Defra spokesperson said: “We have a strong track record of delivering for animal welfare and we remain firmly committed to introducing a ban on the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern. We will bring forward legislation as soon as Parliamentary time allows.”
