Hunting Trophy Imports

Danny Chambers Excerpts

Wednesday 11th November 2026 Westminster Hall

[Dr Danny Chambers (Winchester) (LD)]

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Stuart.

I congratulate the hon. Member for Eltham and Chislehurst (Clive Efford) on his very good speech on this important subject. A few weeks ago, I was in Zambia for the first time, as part of a global public health trip to look at HIV, malaria and tuberculosis control. While we were driving between villages, we got to see elephants and giraffes just walking along the side of the road. It was an absolute dream come true for me. I pay tribute to the right hon. Member for Herne Bay and Sandwich (Sir Roger Gale), who is an absolute hero of mine for the years he has campaigned on animal welfare issues, including many years on this subject specifically.

I very much appreciate and recognise the work that has been done on this issue, and the public agree. Some 84% of responses to the Government’s consultation were in support of a ban on hunting trophies entering or leaving the UK. Despite overwhelming support, successive Governments have failed to act and get a ban over the line. When in government, the Conservatives promised a ban and held a consultation, but when the legislation passed through the Commons, opposition to it in the Lords used deliberate delaying tactics to prevent it from becoming law. The Labour party promised to ban trophy imports in its manifesto, yet we are still waiting. There is no Government Bill, no clear timetable, and no mention of trophy hunting in the animal welfare strategy.

We should be clear that our animal welfare laws should be written here in Westminster, not in Washington. We know that the Trump Administration have written to the UK Government urging them to reconsider approaches to trophy hunting. We should not allow pressure from the United States to determine how we protect endangered animals worldwide.

I find it genuinely difficult to comprehend the mindset of somebody who travels thousands of miles, pays tens of thousands of pounds and then deliberately kills one of the most magnificent creatures on the planet simply for the pleasure of doing so, especially when that creature may well be endangered. Like all vets, I have had to end the lives of animals on many occasions—more than I can remember. We do it out of compassion and to relieve suffering. Even when it is the kindest thing to do, no matter how many thousands of times we have done it, taking a life is never something that we take lightly. I cannot understand someone who wants to take the life of a magnificent, healthy wild animal and then bring it back and mount its head or body part as a trophy. What kind of achievement is it to kill an elephant? What is there to celebrate in shooting a lion or a rhinoceros? What sort of person, having killed an endangered animal, then wants to see that body part mounted on a wall?

The British public want a ban, the House of Commons has already voted for a ban and the Government committed to a ban in their manifesto. I urge the Minister to please bring forward legislation, stop any delaying and let us show the world that Britain wants absolutely no involvement in trophy hunting.