France Bans Import of Endangered Animal Trophy Hunting, Triggering EU Pressure

Brussels/Berlin – Humane World for Animals Europe has hailed France’s decision to prohibit the import of trophies from endangered species as a significant step forward for wildlife conservation, citing growing public concern over the hunting of protected animals.

French Government Announces Complete Ban on Trophy Imports

The French government, represented by Minister Mathieu Lefèvre, has confirmed the implementation of a ‘complete ban’ on importing trophies from endangered species, alongside the suspension of all pending permit applications. This follows the 2015 ban on lion trophy hunting trophies after the death of Cecil the lion.

This move, rooted in existing French regulations and bolstered by overwhelming public support – with 91% of French citizens advocating for a ban – is now expected to intensify pressure on the European Union to enact similar measures. Ruud Tombrock, Executive Director of Humane World for Animals Europe, stated that France’s action ‘demonstrates that public concern regarding threatened wildlife can translate into concrete political action,’ and strengthens arguments for a pan-European prohibition.

Public Opinion Fuels the Shift

Crucially, support for a ban extends beyond France. Across Europe, 85.6% of Germans express opposition to the import of hunting trophies from protected species. Recent polling in South Africa, where two-thirds of respondents oppose trophy hunting, underscores the widespread sentiment against the practice.

EU Remains a Major Market

Despite the growing resistance, the European Union remains the world’s second-largest importer of trophy hunting permits for CITES-listed mammals, with 27,361 trophies imported between 2015 and 2024 – including leopards, African elephants, and river hippos. This highlights the urgent need for EU-wide legislation to safeguard threatened species and prevent market fragmentation.

Expanding Restrictions Across Europe

France’s decision aligns with a broader trend of shifting public and political attitudes towards trophy hunting. Countries like the Netherlands, Finland, and Belgium have already implemented restrictions on specific trophy imports. Humane World for Animals Europe continues to lobby for stricter regulations at both EU and national levels, building on over five years of intensive political engagement.

Call for Immediate EU Action

The organization is urging the European Commission to translate this momentum into binding EU-wide measures, proposing an immediate ban on the import of trophies from endangered and protected species. Until the EU ceases to be the world’s second-largest importer of such trophies, a comprehensive European law is paramount to ensuring consistent protection for vulnerable wildlife across all member states. Trophies hunting, defined as the pursuit of wild animals primarily for the acquisition of body parts or entire carcasses as trophies, reminders, or status symbols, poses a significant threat to biodiversity and ecosystem stability. The decision reflects a fundamental shift in perception, with trophy hunting increasingly viewed as unacceptable across Europe.

Contact: Susan Wolters, +49 (0) 160 94 49 17 88, [email protected]