§ Mrs. Betty WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action her Department is taking to tackle crime in relation to wildlife. [63015]
§ Mr. MeacherMy Department is determined to tackle wildlife crime and we have a number of relevant initiatives under way. For example, I launched the National Wildlife Crime Intelligence Unit at the end of April, and we have begun a review of Control of Trade 703W in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997, which will include an assessment of the level of penalties and police powers of arrest for wildlife offences.