European Hunters Score Victory in EU

by
posted on June 18, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
maineu-parliament.jpg
Our name might be American Hunter, but that doesn't mean we can't cheer on our European brethren! 

The European Parliament voted favorably on Amendment 24 to the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, modifying language that could have been used to ban the trade and import of wildlife species legally hunted in Africa and elsewhere outside of the EU. With the successful passage of the amendment, the existing framework allowing for the import of hunted wildlife can remain in place, and hunters’ irreplaceable roles in conservation science, education, and research can continue undiminished.

Torbjörn Larsson, the President of the European Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FACE)thanked Safari Club International for its assistance and support in the passage of the amendment and also said, “The European Parliament has sent a strong signal that there should be no unjustified restrictions on wildlife trade, including on the movement of hunting trophies.”

Meanwhile, the SCI is continuing its campaign in the UK, as the country continues to push unscientific and harmful bans on wildlife imports. SCI explicitly opposes the UK’s initiative to ban the import of legally hunted wildlife abroad as proposed in the Action Plan for Animal Welfare.

In response, SCI sent a letter to the UK Parliament urging members to reject the import ban language as part of the Action Plan for Animal Welfare, noting that such a ban will hamstring the successful conservation efforts of African nations that rely on sustainable use programs.

Upon the release of SCI’s letter to Parliament and the EU’s vote on Amendment 24, SCI CEO W. Laird Hamberlin commented, “it is a relief to see members of the European Parliament vote to uphold hunting and the ability to import hunted wildlife as crucial components of conservation efforts by range countries, but SCI must also encourage the UK’s Parliament to see this issue as their neighbors in the EU do. The British have a rich hunting heritage, and many range countries in Africa will be worse off if British hunters can no longer bring home the wildlife which they hunt legally and as part of Africa’s carefully monitored and scientifically driven sustainable use conservation.”

Countries around the world, and many in Africa specifically, rely on hunting as part of their conservation strategies. Regulated hunting funds crucial conservation incentives, while trade restrictions often have the unintended consequence of harming wildlife conservation efforts.

Latest

Massaro Cleaning
Massaro Cleaning

Clean 'em Up—Gun Cleaning 101 for Hunters

Ever wonder how often to clean your gun? How about what to clean it with? How about what to clean it with if you're hunting at 40-below? Phil Massaro answers all these questions and more, in this clean-freaks primer.

Hunting Show Attendance Shattering Records

Attendance records have been shattered at this year’s major hunting shows. The latest, Ducks Unlimited’s DUX (Ducks Unlimited Expo), set a new high-water mark in Memphis, Tenn. According to the Commercial Appeal, the July to Aug. 2 event attracted roughly 30,000 attendees. The 2025 event, also held in Memphis, drew a crowd that numbered nearly 20,000.

The Colonel’s Caliber in an Interesting Rifle—.35 Whelen

“Only accurate rifles are interesting.” Townsend Whelen

New for 2026: Beretta A400 Solo

Beretta USA has launched the A400 Solo, a new semi-automatic shotgun engineered for hunters who demand performance in the harshest conditions. Built on Beretta's A400 platform and packed with the company's latest advancements, the A400 Solo combines Beretta's B-Link Pro gas-operating system, Steelium barrel technology and Kick-Off Plus recoil reduction system into one dependable platform.

Know How: Find Your Long-Range Limit

Curious where your ethical limit is in the field? Mark Kayser shows you exactly how to find it.

Smith & Wesson Honors America's 250th Anniversary with Limited-Edition Model 1854

Smith & Wesson has announced the launch of its America 250 Limited Edition Model 1854 rifle, created to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.