Victory for endangered species

ROBERTSON WINS GUARANTEES FROM MINISTER OVER ENDANGERED SPECIES

Hugh Robertson has won an important guarantee from the Minister, Alun Michael, in his battle to protect the world's endangered species.

The guarantee, given at the second reading of Hugh Robertson's Endangered Species Bill on Friday 21 March, will see all of the MP's bill incorporated in the new Criminal Justice Bill - due before Parliament this session.

Hugh said: "This is terrific news. The United Kingdom is at the centre of the illegal trade in endangered species - a trade that is now worth £5 billion worldwide, making it the second most valuable criminal trade after drugs.

"The provisions of my bill will see the maximum sentence for trading in endangered species raised from 2 years to 5 years which will make the offence arrestable.

"This will crack down on a particularly unpleasant area of criminal activity and also offer some much needed protection to a host of endangered species - such as the two tiger cubs found recently in Islington. They had been killed before their eyes were open, stuffed and mounted on a branch.

"It is a vile and disgusting trade and I am delighted that following my campaign, and my Private Members Bill, that the government is going to take action."