Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2021

Floor Speech

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Mr. ARMSTRONG. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of Representative Duncan's amendment to strike from the bill section 436, which prohibits the issuance of an import permit for a sport-hunted trophy of an elephant or lion taken in Tanzania, Zimbabwe, or Zambia.

Simply put, this import prohibition would harm the economic development of African countries and put the wildlife and habitat in those countries at risk.

This is exactly what the Zambian Foreign Minister told me when I met with him:

Regulated, sustainable hunting can be used for economic development just like any other natural resource. And in the vast majority of instances, hunting revenue and game fees are the greatest and most accessible asset for rural people.

By creating a market for regulated hunting of these animals, African countries promote conservation and undermine incentives for illegal poaching.

A U.S. import ban undermines those markets in African countries, which perpetuates unsustainable poaching, underground markets, poverty, and economic underdevelopment.

The individuals who seek to prevent African countries from responsibly using their natural resources are the same who strive to end the production of agriculture in States like North Dakota.

They impart a flawed moral view on others without understanding the economic and cultural ramifications that harm the communities that produce these resources. It is paternalistic and, quite frankly, it is condescending and, in fact, counterproductive to a robust conservation of the magnificent animals and the habitat in which those animals live.

Hunters and sportsmen are truly the world's best conservationists, and the resources we deploy go toward anti-poaching programs; defend against destruction of vital habitat; and incentivize local communities to come together to protect their wildlife.

I urge the adoption of the Duncan amendment, which will promote sustainable hunting markets with African countries.

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