https://plantbasednews.org/cul...phy-hunting-imports/



Is A Global Ban On Trophy Hunting Imports Coming? Over 130 NGOs Unite To Make It Happen

Biodiversity concerns add weight to the animal groups' pleas
BY AMY BUXTON

13TH JULY 2022



A coalition of 137 conservation and animal protection groups has come together to demand a worldwide ban on the import of hunting trophies.

The largest identified markets for imports are the US and the EU. Between 2014 and 2018, close to 125,000 protected species trophies were imported globally. Both regions claimed large quantities. Every animal imported was protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Trophy hunting represents a threat to biodiversity, which is already in peril. Hunters frequently target endangered and exotic species, thereby undermining ongoing conservation and protection efforts.

“Trophy hunting stands out among the worst forms of wildlife exploitation and is neither ethical nor sustainable,” Mona Schweizer of Pro Wildlife said in a statement.

She added: “In the face of the man-made global biodiversity crisis, it is unacceptable that exploitation of wildlife simply for acquiring a hunting trophy is still permitted and that trophies can still be legally imported. It is high time that governments end this detrimental practice.”

Shutting down the trophy hunting trade

More than 130 non-governmental organizations are now asking governments around the world to implement bans on hunting trophy imports. The group seeking the change in legislation includes 45 African organizations. Also participating are Humane Society International, Born Free, Pro Wildlife, and Eurogroup for Animals.

Previous attempts to leverage regulatory support, many led by Born Free, were predicated on ethical grounds and failed to gain traction. This time, the biodiversity issue is being placed front and center of the campaign.


“In this time of crisis for wildlife and biodiversity, it cannot be right for European hunters to be able to pay to kill threatened wild animals, either within the EU or overseas, and ship the trophies home,” Mark Jones, head of policy at Born Free said in a statement.

Reineke Hameleers, CEO of Eurogroup for Animals, added: “With the unethical practice of trophy hunting harming species conservation and the economy for decades, a policy shift is long overdue.”

“Together, with a united voice of 137 NGOs from all around the world, we call on governments to take responsibility for the protection of species and biodiversity–and to ban the import of hunting trophies.”

Public opinion supports a ban on trophy hunting and associated imports

Numerous global citizens oppose trophy hunting and the import of “souvenirs.” Surveys throughout the EU and US show that disapproval rates stand at anywhere between 63 and 96 percent.

In South Africa, a major exporter of trophies, disapproval stands at 64 percent, still representing a majority.

Despite public opinion against the hunting and import of animals, official legislative change is slow to materialize. A reversal of existing bans has occurred in some parts of the world.

In 2018, former US President Donald Trump lifted the ban on elephant hunting trophy imports. The move was widely criticized. Particularly because Trump pledged to keep the Barack Obama-instigated ban in place just one year prior.

The UK appeared to make progress last year. It was set to ban the import of numerous hunting trophies. A new animal rights bill, announced in December 2021, promised to prevent hunters from bringing home the body parts of 7,000 species. The bill has been delayed with the potential to be abandoned.

of course it is coming just a matter of time. those ngos who are financing them i doubt it is not gvt public money ...

ACT NOW: Congress to Vote on Trophy Ban Bill NEXT WEEK!

The Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for FY2023 includes Section 439, which would place an effective ban on the import of elephant or lion trophies from Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Section 439 is a copy-and-paste of Section 436 in last year’s bill, which was ultimately defeated. The bill fails to differentiate illegal poaching in African range countries from legal, regulated hunting by Americans abroad and would hurt both wildlife conservation efforts and local communities. Neither the hunting regulations in these countries nor the conservation status of these species warrant a defacto trophy ban, and the decision to place restrictions is seemingly random and based solely on emotions. SCI extends a huge thank you to former federal legislator of the year Representative Jeff Duncan of South Carolina for fighting to remove Section 439 from the bill. Join SCI in the fight and TAKE ACTION to OPPOSE this dangerous legislation!

ADVOCACY Jul 6, 2022
Stand With SCI and Oppose Harmful Anti-Hunting Language in Interior Appropriations Bill

Last week, the House Appropriations Committee marked up the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for FY2023. This bill includes Section 439, which would place an effective ban on the import of elephant or lion trophies from Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Section 439 is a copy-and-paste of Section 436 in last year’s bill, which was ultimately defeated. Section 439 states that “None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to issue a permit for the import of a sport-hunted trophy of an elephant or lion taken in Tanzania, Zimbabwe, or Zambia.” The bill fails to differentiate illegal poaching in African range countries from legal, regulated hunting by Americans abroad and would hurt both wildlife conservation efforts and local communities.

In response to this misguided legislation, SCI joined 22 other hunting and conservation organizations in a letter to Appropriations Committee leadership standing in strong opposition. The letter states in part, “The fallacy of Section 439 is made clear by the fact that the world’s largest population of lions and second, third, and sixth largest populations of elephants inhabit these three countries.” Read the full letter here.

Neither the hunting regulations in these countries nor the conservation status of these species warrant a defacto trophy ban, and the decision to place restrictions is seemingly random and based solely on emotions. Despite this, the House Appropriations Committee has left this section in the bill as-is, and the bill will now go to the full House of Representatives for a vote.

TAKE ACTION now and OPPOSE this dangerous legislation!

https://act.safariclub.org/opmygep

The best argument I’ve ever heard against “Animal Rights” was from a Philosophy professor I had in undergrad school. In order to possess a “right” there is a corresponding need for “responsibility “. Animals are incapable of any form of responsibility and therefore cannot possess “rights”.

It has been generally accepted in the US that the North American model of conservation (regulated sustainable use) is successful and effective.

I really can’t understand why the government can even begin to justify removing the financial incentives to the range states, especially when they won’t offer an alternative subsidy.

F’em. Just another reason to avoid those outrageous shipping charges!

"Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself"

-Mark Twain

Well just look where the first article is from. Plant Based News?

Not much need to say anything more!