APPENDIX 14
Memorandum from the Somerset Trust Badger
Group, and the Somerset Wildlife Trust Mendip Hills Area Conservation
Committee
I would wish to declare the following views
in support of the New Inquiry—Wildlife Crime. I would add,
simply to give some credence to my views, that I am chairman of
the Somerset Trust Badger Group, and the Somerset Wildlife Trust
Mendip Hills Area Conservation Committee, also I work as a professional
wildlife consultant often helping the local police with wildlife
crime issues.
1. I believe that the scale and impact of
wildlife crime is significantly under estimated. There are very
many occurrences where the result of a crime is evident but it
is to late or impractical to pursue. Although anecdotal I frequently
come across reports of persecution to a wide range of species,
many of which are legally protected. There are very many instances
of loss of wildlife, and indeed habitats, which use the cover
of an accidental/incidental result of a legal activity. Unfortunately
there are elements of our society which believe the law does not
apply to them, they are only doing what they have always done,
or it is clever to selectively kill wildlife.
2. The framework of national and European
law etc is not robust enough as it is too complicated, does not
give the Police adequate powers, and provides too many loopholes
to evade prosecution on technicalities.
3. The responsible bodies in my experience
do not have sufficient resources and powers. The consideration
given to wildlife crime does depend on the culture and missions
of organisations and the interest of individuals. We have examples
of both excellent commitment and deliberate unwillingness. Also
until the measurement of wildlife crime detection and prosecution
becomes a performance measure within our police forces we have
little chance of seeing assignment of adequate resources given
the many other requirements put on our Police.
4. The dialogue and co-operation across
Government and the various bodies although generally well meaning
is insufficient and not helped by the many bodies involved. With
several Government departments, other statutory bodies, the police,
recognised NGO's, animal welfare organisations, and others it
is no wonder.
If we genuinely wish to protect our wildlife
and habitats for future generations then I would suggest we need
a single dedicated body which can adequately police, detect, investigate,
and prosecute wildlife crime. That body will also have to educate
and enlighten the public at large. Fortunately many younger members
of our community are better educated and committed to conserving
"their" wildlife, than us older and wiser folks.
April 2004
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