Hard work pays off

MP WINS VICTORY OVER ENDANGERED SPECIES

The Minister of State in the Home Office, Charles Falconer (now the new Cabinet Member for Constitutional Affairs!) has written to Hugh to tell him that his Private Members Bill, the Illegal Trading (Endangered Species) Bill will be incorporated in the Criminal Justice Bill. The provisions increase the prison term for illegally importing endangered species from 2 years to 5 years and, thus make the offence arrestable, and will be added to the bill in the Lords on 17 June.

The issue arose as a result of two factors. Firstly, illegal trading in endangered species is now the second most valuable criminal trade after drugs and in front of guns. It is estimated that the trade is now worth £5 billion a year worldwide. Secondly it is having a disasterous effect on endangered species worldwide such as gorillas, leopards, sparrowhawks, snowy owls, turtles, tortoises, parrots and a host of primates.

Hugh said: "I am clearly absolutely delighted. This will act as a significant deterrent to criminal gangs killing endangered species for financial gain. A good example is the pair of stuffed snow leopards discovered in a garage in Islington. They had been killed before they were old enough to open their eyes.

"It is a totally abhorrent trade in every way and I am delighted that the government has accepted my proposals in full in the Criminal Justice Bill."