David Reed MP has been inspired by his admiration for Sir Ranulph Fiennes to take a stand against trophy hunting.
Today the MP for Exmouth Exeter East tabled a Private Members Bill in the House of Commons, and was personally thanked by his hero, the eminent explorer and conservationist.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes said: "I am extremely grateful that David Reed tabled this bill to Ban Trophy Hunting Imports.
"2025 marks the start of the tenth year since the devastating death of Cecil the Lion and David's bill demonstrates continuing solid support for a ban as soon as possible.
"Wildlife cannot wait another ten years and I send sincere thanks to David for representing the will of the people - what a great man!'."
The bill today marks the start of a key year for the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, and Parliamentary time has been promised to enact the ban on trophy hunting imports by the Labour Government.
The ban has cross party support, and Conservative Mr Reed's speech to the house to present the bill, read: “Nearly a decade ago, Cecil the Lion was lured from Hwange Park and killed by trophy hunters, sparking global outrage among conservationists and the public.
"This Trophy Hunting Bill takes a firm moral stand against the unnecessary killing of trophy animals for sport.
"Britain is leading on the global stage, with the EU closely observing to consider an EU-wide ban. Although Belgium, France, and Finland have already implemented bans, they face challenges due to conflicts with unenforceable EU trade laws."
The speech to accompany the unopposed bill will now be rescheduled after time ran out in the house, but hopes are high that the ban will be enacted this year.
Eduardo Goncalves, founder of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, said: “David Reed MP’s bill has the support of voters across the country as well as in his own constituency.
“It is absolutely appalling that a small group of deranged people are still allowed to kill and bring home trophies of defenceless animals, many of them endangered.
“Killing innocent animals for entertainment is not sport, it is sick. Trophy hunting belongs firmly in the past. It has no place in a decent civilised society.
“If the Government adopts his bill, then it could potentially become law in the blink of an eye. The government should be doing everything in its power to stop the killing of animals for kicks. As it won’t say when it will take action itself then it should endorse David Rees MP’s bill now.”
*source bantrophyhunting.org
