As the hen harrier
teeters on the brink of extinction as a breeding bird in England, Coalition and
Welsh Government Ministers have a once in a lifetime opportunity to tackle the
illegal killing of birds of prey in England and Wales, and must not waste it.
That’s the message from
the RSPB as it publishes its annual wildlife crime figures showing yet another
shameful year of poisoning, shooting and trapping for red kites, golden eagles,
peregrine falcons, goshawks and other persecuted species. Just one pair of hen
harriers bred in England in 2012, with Government’s own studies suggesting that
illegal killing is the major factor in their decline.
In Lancashire in 2011
the RSPB received 36 reports of incidents relating to birds of prey.
Too little has been done
over the years to stop these sickening attacks on birds, but this could change
with proposed reforms of wildlife law and policing. The RSPB believes a review
of wildlife protection legislation by the Law Commission - currently being
consulted on - provides a golden opportunity to address ongoing persecution of
bird of prey in England and Wales.
This month will also see
the publication of the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee’s inquiry
into wildlife crime while the imminent reorganisation of the police service and
the creation of National Crime Agency will provide further opportunities to
prioritise wildlife crime.
RSPB Conservation
director Martin Harper said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to
tackle the illegal shooting and poisoning of some of our most magnificent
birds.
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