Clamping down on illegal wildlife trade
4 March 2009
WWF is reassured to hear a UK government minister say the illegal trading of endangered species will continue to be seen as a wildlife crime priority.
In an announcement at the annual Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) seminar, the Minister for the Natural Environment, Wildlife and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “Wildlife crime matters: it has an impact on our environment and on the ecosystems, habitats and wildlife that supports our very existence.
“People and communities can help us in the fight against wildlife crime. Information and intelligence are going to be key in this fight – we need to tackle these crimes through effective partnerships. Nobody can afford to sit on the fence and let these crimes go unpunished.”
2007 records show that customs officials seized more than 163,000 illegal wildlife products crossing UK borders in 12 months.
WWF works closely with police and customs officers to tackle the illegal trade in endangered species, alongside the National Wildlife Crime Unit, other conservation-focused non-governmental organisations, and wildlife traders.
WWF Wildlife Trade Officer Heather Sohl said: “It’s vital the illegal trade in endangered species remains a priority, because this is a continuing problem in the UK. It’s also crucial that law enforcers receive adequate support and resources for this important work. If left unchecked, illegal wildlife trade could devastate species populations worldwide.
“WWF works to raise public awareness and encourage people to report any suspicious trade activities. As a nation of animal lovers I’m sure the British public don’t want to contribute to the extinction of any species.”
You can…
read more about WWF’s work to halt the illegal wildlife trade
report any suspected illegal wildlife trading you see
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