Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 2 • Number 8 • 2nd May 2002
UK Establishes Police Unit to Fight Illegal Trade of Wildlife
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On 22 April environment Minister Michael Meacher announced the establishment of a new intelligence agency, which will fight against the illegal trade of endangered wildlife species. “There is no doubt that crimes against wildlife continue, the amounts of money involved are huge, and they are certainly pushing some of our most endangered species close to extinction,” Meacher said. “Money and a complete disregard for the impact on some of our rarest wildlife species is driving this trade,” he added. The new agency, which will be part of the existing National Criminal Intelligence Unit, will work at both national and international levels to stop the smuggling of high value items such as caviar, ivory, shatoosh shawls, parrots and birds of prey, while working closely with police, customs officers and wildlife agencies to effectively fight the trade of endangered species. Globally, illegal trade is estimated to total USD 5 billion annually, which constitutes one quarter of the total trade in animals, plants and their by-products. The UK is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) which controls and monitors international trade of wild species.
“Britain cracks down on wildlife crime,” REUTERS, 23 April 2002; “UK creates new police unit to hunt wildlife criminals,” ENS, 24 April 2002.
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