UPDATE: After receiving a number of petitions on this issue, I have written to Rt Hon Andrea Leadsom MP, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, regarding this issue and will publish a copy of her response once I have received it.
Thank you to those of you that have sent me petitions.
I am exceptionally proud of our local wildlife, and I’d like to pay tribute to the work done by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and their fantastic work at Attenborough Nature Reserve, here in Broxtowe. As such, I believe that tackling wildlife crime is an important issue, and I was glad to hear of the Government’s commitment to fund the National Wildlife Crime Unit up until at least 2020.
Game management practices are incredibly valuable to rural areas, generating income and employment in some of our most remote communities. Shooting contributes in the region of £2 billion to the economy and supports the equivalent of 70,000 full-time jobs.
However, these practices must be carefully monitored to ensure that they do not damage biodiversity. For example, though grouse shooting practices can provide cover for wildlife, it is important that this does not get out of hand. I was very glad to hear that the vast majority of grouse moors that are sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSIs) are now in favourable or recovering condition – double that seen in 2006. I think that this shows both an increased awareness of biodiversity concerns and reflects the improved management of rural issues by the Government.
Nevertheless, I am not convinced we need further legislation to address the issue- simply better enforcement of the laws we already have. As such, I would encourage anyone with information about suspected wildlife crime to report what they know to the authorities so that it may be properly investigated, and we can continue to protect nature reserves across the country.