The Great British Shooting Show is scheduled to be at the NEC from 14th-16th February 2020, but angry campaigners have condemned the booking of some of its exhibitors.
The trade and retail shooting show will showcase a vast range of guns and other weapons alongside hunting equipment for hunting enthusiasts.
However, some of the companies exhibiting at the show are promoting international hunting trips to kill some of the “finest wild boar, mouflon, ibex and chamois” as well as “ultimate” safari hunting experiences where elephants, giraffes and lions are the targets.
One company offers hyena or giraffe hunts for £2,350, warthog hunts for £350 and baboon hunts for £156.
A campaign to ban the companies from the show has since been successful with some protestors calling the sport “barbaric” and “sickening”. The online petition gained over 30,000 signatures.
Responding to the backlash, the NEC issued a statement claiming to “be a venue that permits a wide range of content”.
The statement continued: “However, we are also a business that built around its customers and therefore listens to them.”
Campaigners have welcomed the move, including the RSPCA (England & Wales), who commented that it is “delighted” by the ban.
Other comments revealed fans were relieved at the “positive action” and thanked the NEC for listening to complaints.
British actor, Peter Egan, had also promoted the campaign, calling the NEC “unbelievable” for planning on hosting “organised cruelty”.
Author: Molly Hookings
Molly joined the editorial team in March 2019. She has several years’ experience working in broadcast and journalism, as well as marketing and PR. Past experience includes working for the BBC and independent publishing houses. If you have a story you think Molly might be interested in, please email: molly@eventindustrynews.com
