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1540882
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2022-11-08more like thismore than 2022-11-08
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 more like this
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Wildlife: Crime more like this
house id 2 more like this
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords remove filter
question text To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce (1) sentencing guidelines for (a) raptor persecution, and (b) other wildlife crimes, and (2) vicarious liability for landowners and tenants in England and Wales employing those convicted of such crimes. more like this
tabling member printed
Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle remove filter
uin HL3268 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2022-11-23more like thismore than 2022-11-23
answer text <p>HM Government takes wildlife crime seriously. Significant sanctions are available to judges to hand down to those convicted of wildlife crimes. Raptor persecution is a national wildlife crime priority and there are strong penalties in place for offences committed against birds of prey and other wildlife. Most wildlife crimes carry up to an unlimited fine and/or a six-month custodial sentence.</p><p> </p><p>Sentencing those convicted of wildlife crimes, including raptor persecution, is a matter for judges; these decisions are rightly taken independently of HM Government. Within the maximum limits it is up to the court to decide the appropriate sentence, having considered the facts of the case.</p><p>However, HM Government does recognise that stakeholders are often disappointed with the sentences that are passed down for wildlife crimes. The UNODC Wildlife and Forest Crime Analytic Toolkit Report, published in 2021, suggested that support should be given to the Sentencing Council for England and Wales in developing prescriptive sentencing guidelines, where appetite permits. As with all the recommendations of the report, it will be considered by the relevant agencies.</p><p>Defra does not currently have any plans to introduce vicarious liability in England. The introduction of new regulation, such as vicarious liability, requires evidence that it will be effective. In the context of wildlife crimes, vicarious liability was introduced into Scotland by the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011. HM Government is not aware of any compelling evidence that the introduction of the provisions in Scotland has had a significant deterrent effect on those who persecute birds of prey. We will continue to monitor the situation in Scotland to consider whether this, or a similar offence such as strict liability, is necessary and proportionate to assist in tackling wildlife crime in England.</p>
answering member printed Lord Benyon more like this
question first answered
less than 2022-11-23T12:14:52.117Zmore like thismore than 2022-11-23T12:14:52.117Z
answering member
1547
label Biography information for Lord Benyon more like this
tabling member
4719
label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle more like this