The British government’s proposed ban on trophy hunting imports has come under scrutiny from the Trump administration, with the former U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Bergum urging the UK to reconsider the policy.
In a letter to Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds, Bergum argued that the ban would undermine conservation efforts and hurt hunting tourism in the United States. He claimed that “legal, well-regulated hunting – particularly trophy hunting – plays a vital role in supporting healthy wildlife populations, restoring habitat and supporting local economies.”
However, this stance has been met with strong opposition from prominent British figures, including actress Joanna Lumley and actor Peter Egan. Lumley described the idea of the UK being “leaned on” by the Trump administration as “both shocking and distressing,” stating that “this cruel practice has no place in a modern, compassionate society.”
Egan, who appeared in the hit TV series Downton Abbey, echoed Lumley’s sentiments, saying he is “shocked and horrified that the Government is being pressured by the Trump administration to abandon a ban that the British public overwhelmingly support.”
The proposed ban on trophy hunting imports was a manifesto pledge by the Labour government and has received widespread support from the British public, with polls suggesting that nine out of ten voters back the policy. The issue has also received unanimous support in the House of Commons, with two separate bills being introduced to enshrine the ban into law.
Despite this, the legislation has faced delays, with a handful of pro-hunting peers in the House of Lords derailing one of the bills. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to the ban, but the pressure from the Trump administration has raised concerns about the future of the policy.
Eduardo Goncalves, the founder of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, has described the Trump administration’s intervention as “outrageous,” stating that “this is a sovereign decision for Britain. The British public has spoken loudly and decisively at the ballot box.”
As the government continues to navigate this complex issue, the debate over trophy hunting and its impact on conservation efforts is likely to remain a contentious topic in the UK political landscape.
