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From: THE SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
The Nature Conservation Bill will become a central weapon in the Executive's
drive to combat wildlife crime in Scotland.
Speaking at the Police Wildlife Crime conference at Tulliallan, Allan
Wilson, Deputy Environment Minister, stressed the link between conservation and
bringing an end to illegal practices threatening our unique wildlife. By working together the various agencies should become a
formidable force in protecting Scotland's living environment. Allan Wilson said:
"The Scottish Executive is determined to put an end to wildlife criminal
activity in Scotland. The recent unlawful killing of at least nine birds of prey
on a Borders sporting estate is stark evidence that there remains a real threat
to our wildlife from unscrupulous criminals.
"The Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill 2003 has already introduced
custodial sentences, improved powers of arrest and a greater availability of
search warrants. "These powers are shortly to be enhanced by measures
contained in the Nature Conservation Bill. These will include new offences for
recklessness, improved regulation of the use of snares and tighter controls on
the possession of eggs and wildlife specimens. "It will be important for
all agencies, including the police, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Fiscal
Serviceto work together to enforce the new legislation. I am hopeful that the
Bill will be on the statute book before the summer and brought into force later
this year."
The Minister also launched a CD-ROM "Wildlife and the Law". This
initiative by Tayside Police has been funded by the Executive and aims to
provide police officers and Government bodies with a training aid to improve
their understanding of wildlife legislation. It will also provide advice
conducting searches, available powers and details of recent cases which went to
trial.
The Police Wildlife Crime Conference has attracted an audience of over
200 delegates from UK Police Forces, other enforcement agencies, government
bodies and stakeholders. The Conference was chaired by Mr Ian Gordon LLB, Deputy
Chief Constable of Tayside Police.
Duties of Police Wildlife Crime Officers form an important and integral part of
the statutory responsibilities of police forces to uphold the law in relation to
wildlife crime. This network of Police Wildlife Crime Officers has developed through all British police forces.
The Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) is a UK wide
initiative which seeks to improve communication and co-ordination across all
wildlife law enforcement agencies, as well as Government and other bodies. Scottish PAW is led by the Scottish Executive and its membership
includes SNH, RSPB, SSPCA, Crown Office, Forestry Commission, Scottish
Agricultural Scientific Agency, HM Customs & Excise and the police. It
addresses the implications of wildlife crime activities in Scotland and promotes
a wide range of publicity and educational events to raise the profile of
wildlife crime and the need for effective action to be in
place.
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