§ Andrew SelousTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who the appropriate enforcing authority for the Hares Preservation Act 1892 is. [77347]
816W
§ Mr. MorleyUnder the Hares Preservation Act 1892 it is a summary offence to sell a hare or leveret between the months of March to July inclusive. The prohibition does not extend to foreign imported hares. The Act does not specify an enforcement authority. The usual procedure would be for an Information to be laid before Magistrates following which a summons would be served on the alleged offender. The police would normally lay an Information, following which the Crown Prosecution Service would take over the conduct of the prosecution from the police. Alternatively a case could be conducted by any other prosecutor such as, for instance, a local authority trading standards officer, or a private individual.