26 Feb 2024

Government has utilised different platforms to address the bill before the  United Kingdom Parliament banning the import of hunting trophies, says acting Minister of Environment and Tourism, Mr Machana Shamukuni.

Mr Shamukuni said government has engaged with the UK parliamentarians in an attempt to counter the negative perception associated with sustainable  hunting. He said the UK government had not provided evidence to the government of Botswana that a ban on the import of hunting trophies was in the best  interest of the conservation of the targeted spices contrary to a large body of scientific evidence which supports the prudent utilisation of wildlife in the  pursuit of sustainable community livelihoods.

He said the legislation, if enacted by the UK Parliament, would negatively  affect the hunting sector together with its associated benefits such as revenue, employment and sustenance to the local communities. 

“It is worth noting that most of the hunters who are prepared to pay higher prices are from abroad and there would be no incentive for them to come to Botswana if they cannot import trophies back to their countries,” Minister  Shamukuni said. He said the hunters were at the same time tourists who spent money in the country helping to support local businesses and keep people employed.

He added that Botswana’s stable wildlife population was testimony to the  prudent management practices, including sustainable hunting implemented  by the communities to conserve wildlife population resources. “Our position as a country is that the ban is not necessary as sustainable  utilisation of wildlife is one form of wildlife management,” he said.

Mr Shamukuni also noted that government, as part of improving community  livelihoods, issued hunting quotas to communities under the Community  Based Natural  Resources  Management ( CBNRM) programme.    

He said the ministry would continue to engage on a bilateral and multilateral basis with European countries including the UK through diplomatic channels to counter negative messaging and to advocate for the continued  importation of sustainably acquired Botswana hunting trophies into Europe.

Nata/Gweta MP, Mr Polson Majaga had asked the minister to apprise  Parliament on the effect enacting from a bill before the United Kingdom  parliament banning the import of hunting trophies. Mr Majaga also requested the minister for an update on what action government had taken to address the bill. ends