Two years ago the Government carried out a consultation into the possibility on placing a ban on the import of hunting trophies of endangered wildlife. In responding to the consultation BADA argued that if such a ban were to be introduced then there should be an exemption for pre-1947 "taxidermied" specimens (which includes "antique" specimens).

 

On 10 December 2021 the Government has made an announcement concerning its intention to ban the import of hunting trophies, more details of which can be read here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/importing-of-hunting-trophies-banned-to-protect-worlds-threatened-species 

 

A summary of the responses (dated 10.12.2021) that the Government received to the consultation, along with the Government's own response and policy statement can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/hunting-trophies-controlling-imports-to-and-exports-from-the-uk/outcome/summary-of-responses-and-government-response--2 

 

Within that document has spelled out the scope of the restrictions that it is proposing to introduce and states the following:

"After considering the outcomes of the consultation and call for evidence, CITES trade data, and views from stakeholders and experts, the government will take action to introduce a ban on the import of hunting trophies from thousands of species of global conservation concern, including those listed on Annex A and B of the UK Wildlife Trade Regulations and any other species not covered by these regulations but subject to hunting and of particular conservation concern (namely those assessed by the IUCN as Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered or Extinct in the Wild). Hunting trophies from these species will be prohibited from entering Great Britain, unless considered outside the scope of the ban. The ban will include many species of concern, such as elephants, hippopotamuses, lions and cheetahs.

 

"Evidence received suggests that some other forms of trade are appropriately controlled by CITES and should not be within scope of the ban, because doing so could negatively affect other CITES users. Items not in scope of the ban will include:

  • trophies imported for educational or scientific purposes, or as part of a circus or travelling exhibition
  • other personal effects, not obtained through hunting for the hunter’s personal use: for example, family heirlooms or items moved as part of a person’s household effects
  • antique hunting trophies
  • trophies not considered antiques, but from animals hunted before the ban comes into effec
  • commercial trade in animal parts

The Government will be bringing forward legislation to put the ban into effect, but so far as can be seen at the time of writing this article no date has been given for this.

 

We will monitor the legislation to ensure the Government sticks to its promised exemption, and will clarify what, if any, evidence of age will be required for pre-ban or antique trophies.  

 

However, once the Ivory Act comes into force it will not then be possible to commercially import an elephant head trophy if it retains its tusks. We expect that private owners will still be allowed to import antique elephant trophies that they already own, since the Ivory Act prohibitions do not restrict non-commercial movements.

 

December 2021