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<p>We recognise that the internet can be used as a route for wildlife-related criminal
activity, including illegal trade in species covered by the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The illegal trade
in CITES species is one of the six UK wildlife crime priorities and action to tackle
such trade is spearheaded by the UK CITES Priority Delivery Group (CPDG) comprising
Border Force, the Metropolitan Police Wildlife Crime Unit and the National Wildlife
Crime Unit (NWCU). Defra has provided additional funding to the NWCU this year to
conduct research into wildlife crime on the internet and we will be considering the
findings of their report.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Powers are available in the
UK to tackle illegal internet trade in wildlife products under the Control of Trade
in Endangered Species (COTES) legislation. This legislation is currently under review.
The review will consider trends in illegal trade and the enforcement practices needed
to combat this, including the increasing use of the internet to conduct trade in wildlife
products.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>More broadly the National Crime Agency (NCA)
focuses on the relentless disruption of serious and organised criminals and those
that present the highest risk to the UK and its communities. Where high risk organised
criminals are engaged in illegal wildlife trade the NCA will lead, support or coordinate
an appropriate level of response. That response could include the NCA’s niche capabilities
such as the National Cyber Crime Unit or its global network of liaison officers.</p><p>
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