Together we've cracked it! Wildlife Trade Campaign Success
WWF and TRAFFIC have been campaigning tirelessly over the last 15 months to get the maximum prison sentence for wildlife trade crimes increased from two to five years, thereby making these offences arrestable in the UK.

On 17 June 2003 the government tabled an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill which will bring these changes into effect.

This is excellent news! The deterrent effect of these increased powers and penalties is incredibly significant, the rarity of some species means that the loss of even one individual could be disastrous for conservation. Illegal wildlife traders should beware, the police and courts will soon have the capacity to put them out of business.

A big thank you goes out to everyone who took part in our Wildlife Trade Campaign actions, we couldn't have done it without you!

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The illegal trade in wildlife has pushed species such as tigers and rhinos to the verge of extinction and continues to pose a major threat to many others. Every year, hundreds of millions of plants and animals are traded illegally, with a turnover of billions of pounds.

With over one million items seized by HM Customs between 1996 and 2000, the UK is a major centre for this trade. Although the laws governing our borders are strong, once within the country, there is a maximum prison sentence of just two years for buying and selling endangered species - hardly a deterrent, given the huge profits that can be made by the criminals.

WWF and TRAFFIC want to see this situation changed. In particular, we are calling for:

• the maximum sentence for illegal wildlife trade in the UK to be increased from two to five years imprisonment; and
• sentencing guidelines to be issued to magistrates and judges on the appropriate penalties for wildlife crime.