Harsher penalties for Wildlife trade offences

Provisions for increased penalties for wildlife trade offences have been pushed up the agenda by a Government amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill.

Defra Minister Elliot Morley said the Government is taking urgent action following overwhelming support for increases in penalties outlined in the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997 (COTES) consultation paper which issued in January.

The new penalties will apply to certain 'internal' offences, including trading in the highly lucrative 'shatoosh' shawls, made from fine hair of slaughtered Tibetan antelope, and illegal in this country. Shatoosh shawls can retail for up to £15,000, and black market rhino horn for up to £30,000 per kilo. Other species, traditionally used for medical properties in East Asia and across the world, including the UK, such as tigers, bears, and some plants, are also subject to the controls.

The proposals include increasing the penalty for people found guilty of illegally trading in endangered species from two to five years imprisonment, and making those offences arrestable.

Elliot Morley said:

"I firmly believe that we must address the illegal trade in endangered species as a matter of urgency. Only then can we ensure that those wildlife criminals who cynically exploit our world's most endangered species, with no regard for the consequences of their actions, are properly punished. It is my belief that a five year prison sentence will also act as a significant deterrent."

Offences which attract a five year prison sentence are automatically arrestable in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The new Clause will introduce similar provisions in Scotland.

A separate announcement will be made later about the other issues covered by the COTES review.