Trophy hunts should no longer be offered to holidaymakers under new animal welfare guidelines from the UK’s biggest travel association.

Also discouraged from sale are canned hunts – where animals are bred in captivity for the purpose of shooting in enclosures – and trips to cub petting farms and lion encounters, which experts say help to fuel the vile industry.

“Trophy hunting companies dress up their sick sport as a relaxing break in the sun. They produce glossy brochures which boast about spas and swimming pools at their luxury hunting lodges.

“There are booking sites that compare prices and help you find last-minute deals.

“You can get special fun-for-all-the-family deals and discounts for the kids. It’s a completely warped and twisted industry.

“ABTA’s new guidelines are a welcome step.

“Our government needs to move ahead with its proposed ban on trophy imports and exports as quickly as possible. There should be an immediate moratorium on trophy imports pending legislation to ban them once and for all.”

Clare Jenkinson of ABTA said: “The revised guidelines will mean that travel companies can implement animal welfare approaches that reflect latest evidence.”

This article was first published by The Mirror on 18 December 2019.

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