Charity appoints Chris Packham as its President

National animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports is delighted to welcome environmental campaigner and broadcaster Chris Packham as its new President.

Emma Slawinksi, the League Against Cruel Sports chief executive, said: “Chris has inspired countless people to take action to protect animals from cruelty in the name of ‘sport’. His interest in charity work and wildlife conservation and his record in speaking up for animals and nature means he is a perfect match for us as we campaign to end blood sports across the UK.

“He joins us at a critical time as we have the best opportunity since the flawed hunting ban more than 20 years ago to finally end fox, deer and hare hunting by supporting government moves to strengthen hunting laws and ban so-called trail hunting.

“We are very grateful for all his support to date and look forward to successfully working together to help animals in the future.”

Chris Packham, said: “I am a lifelong supporter of The League and am delighted to have this chance to collaborate with them to end cruel sports.

“Fox hunting is a barbaric practice, where people perpetrate cruelty for fun. The League’s approach of working from a strong evidence base, seeking to collaborate with other organisations and speaking truth to power gives me the confidence that together we can consign these animal abuses to the history books.”

David Fielding MBE, the League Against Cruel Sports Chair, said: “We welcome Chris to the League Against Cruel Sports and his arrival is yet another example of the League going from strength to strength.

“We’re seeing animal welfare laws being improved in Scotland and Wales and moves being made to strengthen them in England too – Chris’s passionate approach to conservation and environmental campaigning will be a real asset as we create a better world for our wildlife. I know our supporters will be delighted to welcome our new President.”  

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Please find a picture of Chris available here. Photo credit Jo Charlesworth.

Please find a video message of Chris Packham talking about his new role.

For media enquiries or interview requests please contact the League Against Cruel Sports Press Office on 01483 524250 or email pressoffice@league.org.uk

The League Against Cruel Sports is Britain's leading charity that works to stop animals being persecuted, abused and killed for sport. The League was instrumental in helping bring about the landmark Hunting Act 2004, the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021, the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023 and bans on the use of snares brought about by the Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023, and Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024.

We carry out investigations to expose law-breaking and cruelty to animals and campaign for stronger animal protection laws and penalties. We work to change attitudes and behaviour through education and manage wildlife reserves. Find out more about our work at www.league.org.uk. Registered charity in England and Wales (no.1095234) and Scotland (no.SC045533).