Ministers accused of ignoring advisers over a proposed hunting ban

Ministers are accused of ignoring their own expert advisers over a proposed hunting ban which could ‘encourage illegal poaching and lead to the loss of habitats’

•  Over 150 scientists wrote to the PM accusing him of ignoring scientific evidence

Ministers were yesterday accused of ignoring their own expert advisers over the ‘unintended consequences’ of a proposed trophy hunting ban.

A bar on importing items such as skins, stuffed animals and mounted heads could encourage illegal poaching and lead to a loss of habitats, it is claimed.

But the planned clampdown has won support from animal rights campaigners and celebrities. 

Now internal documents released under the Freedom of Information Act show the Government’s advisers on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee said there could be ‘unintended and perverse consequences for wildlife conservation’, and for local communities.

Senior diplomats from five countries in southern Africa wrote to Downing Street last week, saying a ban could seriously damage tourism and wildlife management programmes. They said ministers had excluded the views of the countries most affected by the ban.

Unintended consequences of a proposed ban on trophy hunting could include a loss of habitats, government advisers had said

(Stock Photo) Over 150 scientists also wrote to the Prime Minister and the Environment Secretary accusing them of ignoring scientific evidence

More than 150 scientists also wrote to the Prime Minister and to Environment Secretary Therese Coffey accusing them of ignoring scientific evidence.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs consulted the JNCC over the proposed Hunting Trophies Bill.

In an official memo, released following an FOI request, the JNCC said: ‘Evidence suggests that well-managed and sustainable trophy hunting plays an important part in biodiversity conservation as it provides both incentives for habitat and species conservation and financial and social benefits to local communities.’

Defra said it stood by the Bill.

Source: Read Full Article