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Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 9 November 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 November 2021. It was answered by Rebecca Pow (Conservative) on Friday, 19 November 2021 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Poaching: Sentencing

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to introduce harsher sentencing for poachers.

Answer

This Government takes wildlife crime, including poaching, seriously and is committed to ensuring the protection wildlife legislation offers is effectively enforced. We also recognise the issues and distress that poaching can cause for rural communities. Crimes such as deer poaching and hare coursing are completely unacceptable. Significant sanctions are already available to judges to hand down to those convicted of wildlife crime. A person guilty of a poaching offence under the Deer Act for example can receive a fine of up to £2,500 and / or up to three months in prison.

The Government has no current plans to introduce harsher sentences for poaching in general. However, our Action Plan for Animal Welfare, published in May this year, sets out our commitment to crack down on illegal hare coursing-related activity, providing law enforcement with more tools to address the issue effectively, including through legislation when Parliamentary time allows.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
72427
Session
2021-22
Subjects
Poaching Sentencing
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk