In a recent development, the administration of Donald Trump is facing accusations of pressuring the British government to abandon its plans to prohibit the import of trophies from hunting. Doug Bergum, the Interior Secretary under Trump, has reached out to Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds, advocating for a reconsideration of the ban. Bergum argues that the ban could negatively impact local economies, conservation initiatives, and cultural sensitivities within the United States.
Notably, Trump, whose sons Donald Jr. and Eric engage in trophy hunting, has already lifted a previous ban on trophy imports that was implemented during Barack Obama’s presidency. Support for Trump’s reelection campaign from influential hunting lobby groups like the Safari Club International and Dallas Safari Club is evident.
The Mirror has been actively campaigning for a ban on trophy hunting imports, a stance backed by the Labour Government in its manifesto. Despite some delays, Defra minister Mary Creagh has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enforcing the ban.
Efforts to pass trophy hunting Bills into law have faced obstacles, with one thwarted by a few pro-hunting peers in the House of Lords due to a shortage of Parliamentary time. Baroness Hayman, responsible for the ban’s legislative development, has engaged with US embassy representatives in London following Bergum’s letter.
Eduardo Goncalves, founder of The Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, criticized the Trump Administration’s interference with the UK’s decision-making process, emphasizing that the ban on trophy hunting imports is widely supported by voters and Parliament. Goncalves urged Keir Starmer to uphold the ban as promised.
Bergum’s letter to Reynolds expressed concerns that the ban could impede conservation efforts globally and in the United States. He highlighted the role of legal and well-regulated hunting, particularly trophy hunting, in maintaining wildlife populations, habitat restoration, and local economies. Bergum encouraged the UK to engage in dialogue rather than opting for a blanket ban on all imports.