CANNED HUNTING OF LIONS

That this House notes that according to the Campaign Against Canned Hunting well over 8,000 lions are being bred in captivity to supply the canned hunting trade that entails captive-bred lions being kept in confined areas to be shot by paying hunters using rifles, bow and arrow and pistols; further notes that at least some of the funding for this barbaric practice is derived from UK volunteer agencies that are often unaware of the destiny of these lions; further notes that on 15 March 2014 people in 62 cities in 21 countries marched on the streets to protest against canned hunting; further notes that on 13 February 2014 a world summit was held in London to halt the illegal trade in wildife products; further notes that precedents for concrete action include the EU ban on imports of seal skins from Namibia and Canada because they are based on animal cruelty; calls on the Government to ensure that preservation of the UK's world wildlife heritage is given the high level priority that it so clearly deserves; and further calls on the Government to ban the import of African lion trophies and body parts.