Joanna Lumley strongly criticized the Trump administration for pressuring the UK to revoke a ban on importing trophies from hunting. The renowned actress, alongside actor Peter Egan, expressed their concerns after Trump’s Interior Secretary, Doug Bergum, lobbied the UK’s Environment Secretary, Emma Reynolds, to reconsider the ban, citing potential negative impacts on hunting tourism, conservation efforts, and cultural aspects in the US.

President Trump, whose sons are avid hunters, previously overturned a ban on trophy imports initiated during Barack Obama’s presidency. The Mirror has actively advocated for a ban on trophy hunting imports, a stance also supported by the Labour Government, as outlined in their manifesto. Despite delays, Minister Mary Creagh from Defra confirmed the government’s commitment to enforcing the ban at the end of last year.

Efforts to pass trophy hunting Bills into law faced obstacles, including opposition from pro-hunting peers in the House of Lords. Dame Joanna Lumley emphasized the importance of upholding the ban, stating that the UK should not succumb to pressure from the Trump administration, as trophy hunting contradicts modern societal values.

Actor Peter Egan echoed similar sentiments, denouncing the pressure from the Trump administration to overturn a ban that enjoys overwhelming public support in the UK. The Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting’s founder, Eduardo Goncalves, condemned the Trump administration’s interference, emphasizing that the UK’s decision on trophy hunting imports should be sovereign and in alignment with public sentiment.

The Trump administration’s lobbying efforts were met with resistance, with calls for the ban to be legislated this year. In his communication to Ms. Reynolds, Mr. Bergum highlighted the benefits of legal and regulated hunting, particularly trophy hunting, in wildlife conservation and economic support for local communities, urging the UK to engage through established channels rather than impose a blanket ban on all imports.