18th March 2013
The Government should be congratulated on its measured response to the Environment Audit Committee’s Report on Wildlife Crime (2012-13) and for its recognition of the good progress that has been made since 2004, says the Moorland Association.
In its written evidence to the Environment Audit Committee on Wildlife Crime, The Moorland Association welcomed an initiative to add listed poisons for which the holder has no legitimate use to the statute book. However, Government has decided that there is already sufficient power under UK pesticides legislation that makes possession or use of carbofuran and similar substances a criminal offence, and points out that amnesty initiatives have been very successful.
Said Robert Benson, Chairman of the Moorland Association: “Whilst this decision is disappointing, the recently produced PAW poisoning incidents maps for 2006 – 2011, backed by the Moorland Association, will also help stamp out this unacceptable practice. We continue to urge Government to secure long-term funding for the NWCU to ensure ongoing accurate measurement of the scale of bird of prey crime.”
The inquiry also recommended that Government evaluates the effect of the introduction of an offence of vicarious liability in relation to raptor persecution in Scotland, and asked it to consider introducing a similar offence in England and Wales in that light.
The Government has responded saying it has no plans to introduce vicarious liability and that there have been no prosecutions in Scotland in which the new vicarious liability law has been tested. Government has said it would review its impact as soon as suitable statistics become available.
“Abiding by the Code of Good Shooting Practice requires that all employers ensure that they and their employees operate within the law and these laws are well understood and respected by Moorland Association members. The Moorland Association condemns any act of wildlife crime”, said Robert Benson.
