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The Hessilhead Animal Rescue Centre
near Beith was the venue for the last engagement as Environment Minister of
local MSP Allan Wilson as he announced tough new powers to crack down on
wildlife criminals.
Scotland's law enforcers will now be able to use wide-ranging wildlife
protection powers - including three year prison sentences for those involved
in badger baiting and further protection for endangered birds, such as
capercaillie and white-tailed eagles - will strengthen the protection given
to Scotland's natural heritage.
Allan Wilson MSP said:
Hessilhead in my constituency was the ideal place to get across the message
that the Police are prepared to use their new powers to track down those
involved in activities such as badger baiting and that once caught wildlife
criminals face new more sever penalties including imprisonment” said Mr
Wilson.
"The Scottish Executive has a record of taking tough action to protect
Scotland's natural heritage. Wildlife and other environmental crime is
serious crime. I am determined to see it dealt with effectively.
"The new Act gives the police, the fiscal service and the courts new
opportunities to work together to protect Scotland's most vulnerable birds,
plants and animals and to tackle other threats to the natural environment.
"Whales and dolphins, birds of prey, capercaillie and animals such as otters
and wild cats will all benefit. The provisions also clamp-down hard on acts
of cruelty - from the use of illegal snares to badger-baiting.
"Conserving the rich diversity of the natural world around us is important
to us all. The improved wildlife protection which comes into force today is
part of Scotland's wider contribution to global conservation efforts."
The
measures coming into force will include:
New offences - including offences involving reckless conduct, the harassment
of whales and dolphins, damage to nest sites and unlawful possession of
pesticides used for poisoning birds of prey and other wildlife.
The new Act plugs a loophole which currently allows egg thieves to keep
specimens illegally taken outside Great Britain.
Capercaillie get special protection during the breeding season (Whilst they
are engaged in breeding displays or "liking").
New measures to control the use of snares. Snaring remains legal, but abuse
and malpractice will not be tolerated New measures to address the
environmental and economic damage caused by invasive non-native species,
including fines of up to £40,000.
Improvements to the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, inc. three year jail
terms for the most serious offences involving cruelty, such as badger
digging and badger baiting.
An extension (to three years) to the time-limit within which prosecutions
have to be brought.
The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 was passed unanimously by the
Scottish Parliament on May 5, 2004 and received Royal Assent on June 11,
2004.
The measures brought into force today are contained in Part 3 of the Act.
The remaining parts of the Act (including, in particular, provisions dealing
with a new biodiversity duty and with Sites of Special Scientific Interest)
will be brought into force later in the year.
The Act adds to a number of wildlife crime measures already contained in the
Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003. The 2003 Act provided the police with
a new power of arrest in wildlife crime cases and gave courts the option of
imposing custodial sentences on wildlife criminals.
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