Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill – Briefing by Professor Amy Dickman and Dr Dilys Roe
Professor Amy Dickman and Dr. Dilys Roe’s briefing on the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill highlights major risks of the UK’s proposed blanket ban on trophy imports. They argue it could devastate wildlife conservation and community livelihoods across Africa by removing key incentives—habitat preservation, anti-poaching funding, and tolerance for dangerous wildlife. The report exposes misleading political discourse, hypocrisy in targeting imports while permitting domestic exports, and neo-colonial implications. Instead, the authors advocate for a smart, science-based permit system (a “conservation test”) that allows trophies from well-managed hunts supporting both conservation and local communities, aligning with CITES guidelines and ensuring sustainable use.