Anger, it turns out, a ban on trophy hunting imports in Northern Ireland will not apply

A law banning trophy hunting imports was approved by MPs yesterday – but the move quickly turned into a farce when it emerged the rules didn’t apply to Northern Ireland.

Experts had warned the plans will have a devastating impact on endangered animals.

And now DUP MPs have claimed that the law is being drastically undermined by the fact that Ulster would become a ‘back door’ for big game hunters to bring souvenirs into the UK.

That means they could fly to Belfast with a pile of body parts before simply crossing the Irish Sea. The loophole is made possible because Northern Ireland was left behind in the European Union’s internal market after Brexit.

The Hunting Trophies (Import Ban) Act was introduced by Tory MP Henry Smith. During a debate, DUP MP Sammy Wilson said: “To find that a law that has the support of over 86 per cent of the British public cannot apply in one part of the UK is insulting.

Pictured: Cecil, one of Zimbabwe’s most famous lions, who was reportedly shot by US hunter Walter Palmer. DUP MPs have claimed the bill will be drastically undermined by the fact that Ulster would become a ‘back door’ for big game hunters to bring souvenirs into the UK

“It’s offensive to me and it’s offensive to the millions of voters who have written to me asking me to support this legislation.” Animal welfare experts fear the law will have devastating effects on endangered animals.

They, along with African leaders and grassroots groups, have urged Britain to allow certain trophies to be imported if the animals are shown to have been ethically hunted.

Proceeds from selective hunting keep locals employed and fund patrols against poachers, the true enemy of conservation. The plans would ban the import of 6,000 endangered species, including elephants, rhinos and leopards.

Environment Secretary Trudy Harrison welcomed the legislation, which is now under consideration in the House of Lords. “Cecil the lion didn’t die in vain,” she said, referring to the lion that was shot by an American dentist in Zimbabwe in 2015, in a case that sparked global outrage.

The Hunting Trophies (Import Ban) Act was introduced by Tory MP Henry Smith. During a debate, DUP MP Sammy Wilson said: “It is insulting to find a law that has the support of over 86 per cent of the British public and cannot apply in one part of the UK.”

But Tory peer Lord Mancroft said: “It is clear that this bill has defied any meaningful scholarly scrutiny or expert challenge as it was pushed through the House of Commons. We are determined that this will not be the case in the House of Lords.’

Professor Amy Dickman, a conservation expert at Oxford University, said: “It is bitterly disappointing that MPs have succumbed to an emotional but misinformed animal rights campaign. This bill will kill more animals than it will save.’

Maxi Pia Louis, director of the conservation organization Nacso, said: “We are very disappointed that Africa’s voice has not been heard. This law will impoverish African communities for years to come.’

A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said “imports to Northern Ireland will continue to be subject to careful scrutiny”.

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk