Stamping out wildlife crime
The UK Government has put its support behind a new Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT) campaign to focus attention on the efforts being made across the world to combat trafficking in wild fauna and flora.
The short public service announcements, featuring actor Harrison Ford, aim to raise awareness of the threats posed by wildlife trafficking and reduce demand for illegally traded wildlife.
It is important that national and international measures are taken to tackle illegal and unsustainable trade that can damage not just the animals or plants being trafficked, but also the interests of people locally and internationally.
Wildlife trade is monitored and controlled through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) with 172 countries signed up. However, the illegal trade in endangered species remains a cause for concern with regular seizures of high profile items like ivory, tiger bones, caviar and furs; as well as rare flowers and timber products.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign last week, UK Deputy Permanent Representative and Ambassador to the UN Karen Pierce said:
“Too often the fight against wildlife crime is overlooked in many quarters, and some would argue it is not given as high a priority as it deserves when compared with the fight against the illegal trade in drugs and firearms. However, wildlife trade is big business.
“Whilst much of this trade is legal and closely monitored and controlled through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, the dangers posed by illegal and hence unsustainable trade in the most endangered and therefore most valuable species are very real.”
What is the UK doing?
The UK Government is a key player in the fight against wildlife crime, as an active member of both CITES and CAWT. We are committed to combating illegal trafficking in endangered species, tackling this nationally and internationally through improved enforcement strategies, coordination and encouraging enforcement authorities to give the illegal trade a higher priority.
In 2006 the UK set up the National Wildlife Crime Unit, a police-led, multi-agency unit which gathers intelligence on all wildlife crime and provides analytical and investigative support to police and customs officers across the UK. Taking a strategic approach, the unit has established that the illegal trade in CITES species is one of the top five UK wildlife crime priorities for 2007/08. Among CITES species, the five areas being focused on particularly are caviar, ivory, ramin (a tropical hardwood), tortoises and traditional medicines.
Defra is involved in developing Sustainable Development Dialogues with key developing countries: India, China, Mexico, South Africa and Brazil. Each Dialogue will have an action plan which covers a range of sustainable issues (sustainable consumption and production, natural resources management, capacity building and governance for sustainable development and urban development). We have been working successfully with both India and China to take forward wildlife crime work plans, to share experience in tackling the threat it poses to sustainable ecosystems and livelihoods, and will look to share those experiences with the wider international community.
Further information
- Harrison Ford public service announcements
- CAWT
- CITES
- More information about wildlife trade on Defra’s website
Page published: 13 June 2008