Select Committee on Environmental Audit Twelfth Report


INTRODUCTION

The Scope of the Inquiry

1. On 4 April 2004, the Sub-committee on Environmental Crime announced that it would be holding an inquiry into wildlife crime. This is the third in a series of four inquiries which have focused on environmental crime and has been preceded by the inquiries into Environmental Crime and the Courts[1], and Fly-tipping, Fly-posting, Litter, Graffiti and Noise[2] .

2. In its press release, the Sub-committee expressed a desire in particular to hear responses to the following questions:

  • What is the scale and impact of wildlife crime?
  • Is the framework of national and European law and of international regulation robust enough to deal with wildlife crime effectively?
  • Do responsible bodies who deal with this type of crime have sufficient resources and powers to do so? Do they treat wildlife crime with proper and due gravity?
  • Is there sufficient dialogue and co-operation across Government and amongst various bodies responsible for dealing with this type of crime?

As with previous Reports based upon the work of the Sub-committee, this Report considers only the situation in England and Wales.

3. Thirty-two memoranda were received, some of which were supplementary to evidence sessions. Oral evidence was heard from twelve individuals or organisations. We are grateful for all the evidence given to the Sub-committee during this inquiry.



1   Environmental Audit Committee, Sixth Report of Session 2003-04, Environmental Crime and the Courts, HC126 Back

2   Environmental Audit Committee, Ninth Report of Session 2003-04, Environmental Crime: Fly-tipping, Fly-posting, Litter, Graffiti and Noise, HC445 Back


 
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