Government will ban 'barbaric' shark fin trade 'by the end of the year', as UK calls on more international action to be taken

The Government will announce today it is bringing in a law to ban the ‘barbaric’ shark fin trade.

Environment Minister Lord Goldsmith signalled the end of the 'indescribably cruel’  import and export of detached shark fins.

The UK is also calling for more international action on the practice, which involves removing a shark’s fin at sea and discarding the mutilated body back into the water.

The Government will announce today it is bringing in a law to ban the ‘barbaric’ shark fin trade, which involves removing fins at sea and discarding the mutilated body back into the water

The ban will include both detached shark fins and associated products including soup. 

An estimated 100 million sharks are killed every year, mostly for shark fin soup which is a delicacy in Asia.

Lord Goldsmith, a close friend of Carrie Johnson, said: ‘Our action will not only help boost shark numbers, it will send a clear message that we do not support an industry that is forcing many species to the brink of extinction.’ 

During the 2019 Election campaign, Boris Johnson said banning the trade would be one of the benefits of Brexit.

The Prime Minister said at the time: ‘It is barbaric that people can eat legally shark fin soup made from the fins of sharks who have been deprived of those fins while they are alive and thrown back into the sea. 

'I think it should be banned. And you can’t do it at the moment under EU single market law.’

The legislation will form part of the Animals Abroad Bill. Sources say it is likely to be introduced by the end of this year.

The legislation will form part of the Animals Abroad Bill. Sources say it is likely to be introduced by the end of this year

An estimated 100 million sharks are killed every year, mostly for shark fin soup which is a delicacy in Asia (pictured, a pile of detached shark fins)