Protecting Wildlife and Endangered Species
Animal Health is responsible for monitoring the UK's protection of animals and plants under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
We processes applications for the import/export and the sale of animals and plants protected by CITES and are also responsible for the registration of certain species of birds kept in captivity and protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Enforcement of wildlife policy
Wildlife conservation is of limited value if it is not enforced. We work closely with the statutory enforcement authorities to effectively discharge our wildlife conservation responsibilities.
We do this in three main ways:
- by liaising and co-ordinating action with the Police and HM Customs & Excise in the investigation and prosecution of wildlife crime.
- co-chairing and providing a Secretariat for the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) , a national multi-agency body looking at strategic enforcement issues and developing appropriate responses, in support of the enforcement of wildlife legislation.
- managing a team of around 100 Wildlife Inspectors whose main role is to carry out visits to premises to verify information submitted to us for permits and certificates, or to check that people are complying with the administrative controls contained in certain wildlife legislation.
More information on CITES:
Page last modified: 10 Mayl 2007
Page published: 2 April 2007