Here my mail to Ms Gill of the EU Parliament and her response on the subject of banning trophies into Europe




Dear Mr Weller,

Thank you for taking the time to write to me. I have noted your points.

I authored written declaration 0003/2016 on Trophy Hunting which called on the Council of the European Union and Commission to look at restricting trophy imports in order to ensure proper implementation of the rules by all countries in the European Union, and to persuade countries that are issuing permits to trophy hunters without due consideration for the impacts of trophy hunting on conservation and animal welfare to discontinue this practice.

The Born Free Foundation - with whom I worked with on the written declaration - are highly informed and have shown me that trophy hunting is all too often poorly regulated, so that the benefit does not always reach those who need it most in African society.

Moreover it is crucial to prevent the decline of iconic species, and animal societies themselves are complex, particularly those of highly social animals like lions. The removal of individuals from such populations can have far-reaching and highly disruptive implications, not just for the targeted animals, but also for those that remain. Proponents of trophy hunting defend the activity on the grounds that it generates much-needed income for conservation and local communities in developing countries, incentivises the use of large areas of land for wildlife, and helps manage wild animal populations. However, these claims do not stand up to scrutiny. According to 2006 estimates, trophy hunting across Africa generates an annual turnover of around US$200 million (1). In reality it represents only a tiny proportion of the Gross Domestic Product of those countries which allow trophy hunting.

Thank you once again for writing to me with your views, which on this occasion we are unable to agree.

Kind regards,

Neena

NEENA GILL
Member of European Parliament
13G350
European Parliament, 60 Rue Wiertz, Brussels, 1047
T: Brussels +32 228 47193 Stras +33 3 88 1 77193
Fax: +32 228 49193
@NeenaGmep
http://www.neenagillmep.eu/

(1) Lindsey, P, P Roulet, and S Romanach. 2006. Economic and Conservation Significance of the Trophy Hunting Industry in SubSaharan Africa. Biological Conservation 134 (4); 455-469.



-----Original Message-----
From: Charles Weller
Sent: 23 April 2016 15:22
To: GILL Neena
Subject: Trophy hunting import ban

Dear Ms Gill,

I am a passionate conservationist and hunter. I spend close to GBP 25.000 annually hunting. I am totally against your proposed EU trophy import ban.

May I ask you a few questions?

Have you actually been to any African hunting country ?

Do you know how many rural Africans are dependant on hunting tourism USDs to stay alive?

Do you have any idea how many jobs depend on the hunting industry in Africa?

Have you actually been to areas in rural Africa which are not protected and managed by hunting programmes ie areas of Kenya and Botswana or West Africa where game hardly exists as a result of meat poaching?

I would dearly love to debate this issue with you as I truly believe - from my 30 years of African hunting - that what you are striving for will create more damage for wildlife and people than it will create benefits.

Regards.

C Weller
London

Thanks Charlie for bring this to the forum
just shows what we are up against
2006 records!!!!!!these people will never answer a question straight or fully
has Gill ever been to Africa or rural Africa

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I wrote back to her on the 2006 records ! Shit was the internet even around then as we know it? Unbelievable !

I'll keep mailing them all on this !

Charlie

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quote:

Originally posted by Charlie64:


Moreover it is crucial to prevent the decline of iconic species, and animal societies themselves are complex, particularly those of highly social animals like lions. The removal of individuals from such populations can have far-reaching and highly disruptive implications, not just for the targeted animals, but also for those that remain.

The old standby. Just like, "wolves only kill the sick and old".

Gentlemen,
We need to change the angle. Scientifically responsible hunting benefits conservation however light needs to shed on the what is alternative or what happens when wildlife loses its value or hunting is stopped in these marginal areas? What happens then or what measures are these decision makers going to actually implement to fill the vacuum??
In Zambia it was proven. All the song and dance but no alternative on the ground. Instead areas were left and Gov't alone had to do its best with what it has to the detriment of habitat and wildlife.
Rural communities and Africa gov'ts should be supported and capacitied to take these matters on head-on. Look at Zim, reduced income reduced benefits to communities and less resources to carry out resource protection.
The tune has to change and the story of the villager has to be brought to light.
I challenge any politician or "decision maker" to walk a mile in the shoes of a villager. Go live a year in the village with nothing and see if the tune changes.