Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Raptor Persecution

Thursday 7 December 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government take raptor persecution very seriously and have increased funding for the national wildlife crime unit to over 1.2 million over three years.
  • The Government are working with the national bird of prey crime priority delivery group to address raptor persecution.
  • Dan Jarvis questioned whether introducing vicarious liability could deter rogue landowners from directing their gamekeepers to commit wildlife crimes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North
Environment
Context

Dan Jarvis is concerned about raptor persecution, which he considers a serious issue affecting birds of prey.

Question

What steps are being taken to tackle raptor persecution?

Answer from Robbie Moore

The Government take raptor persecution very seriously. It is a national wildlife crime and there are strong penalties in place for offences committed against birds of prey. In 2022, DEFRA more than doubled its funding for the national wildlife crime unit to £1.2 million over three years, in part to target crimes of raptor persecution.

Answered
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Q2 Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North
Crime & Law Enforcement Environment
Context

Following the initial question, Dan Jarvis inquires about introducing vicarious liability to deter rogue landowners and their gamekeepers from committing wildlife crimes.

Question

Have the Minister and the Department considered whether introducing vicarious liability would act as a deterrent to rogue landowners who direct their gamekeepers to commit wildlife crime?

Answer from Robbie Moore

The Government take raptor persecution very seriously, and those found guilty of wildlife crimes should be subject to the full force of the law. DEFRA is working with the national bird of prey crime priority delivery group, which brings together the police, the Government, local authorities and stakeholders to make sure we are doing as much as we can to tackle this type of crime.

Partly answered

Not addressed: introducing vicarious liability

How: Working With The National Bird Of Prey Crime Priority Delivery Group

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