East Yorkshire MP backs bill to ban trophy hunting which threatens the lives of many endangered species

Sir Greg is one of a number of MPs backing the campaign in the hope of protecting many endangered animals that are currently being hunted to the brink of extinction.

Trophy hunting is the killing of an animal for either sport or pleasure in order to display full bodies of animals as decoration, or to gather certain body parts such as tusks or skin.

Many famous faces are showing their support for the ban alongside the East Yorkshire MP, including actors Sir Michael Palin and Dame Joanna Lumley, as well as explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

Sir Greg said: “Many animals shot by British hunters, including elephants, are classed as endangered and their demise is hampering conservation efforts.

“Hippopotamuses, zebras, leopards, and cheetah numbers are also declining because of this brutal slaughter.

“The public overwhelmingly supports the introduction of such a ban and I am fully backing it.

“Whilst we cannot legislate to stop this barbaric activity because it takes place overseas, a ban of the importation of these so-called ‘trophies’ will seriously undermine this activity”.

Traditional hunting can help control wildlife populations where needed.

However, trophy hunting specifically targets animals with unusual traits that will make the best decoration rather than animals whose populations have grown too much.

The Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill aims to discourage trophy hunters and help support the threatened animals and stabilise their populations.

For the latest news on this bill and Greg Knight’s views visit: www.gregknight.com.