News and events: Conferences and workshops

• PAW Open Seminar 2008
  This years Open Seminar was held on the 27 February and we were delighted to be able to return to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.  Over 100 delegates attended the one day event from a wide range of organisations.  Professor Steve Hopper, Director of Kew, gave the opening address which was followed by the presentation of the PAW Partner of the Year Award 2007, presented by Tom Huggon of Browne Jacobson Solicitors, sponsors of the award.  The well deserved winners were the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) in recognition of their work to combat crimes against bats.  For more information about BCT please go to: www.bats.org.uk.

  He UK National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) then introduced the current UK wildlife conservation priorities.  Plan owners for each of the priorities which include; hen harrier persecution; offences against bats; offences against fresh water pearl mussels; the illegal trade in CITES species and poaching.  For more information about the UK priorities and NWCU please go to: www.nwcu.police.uk.

  Following the presentation of the award a number of presentations were given, including an update by Paddy Tomkins (HM Chief Inspector of Police in Scotland) on the review of wildlife law in Scotland, a number of case studies and a talk by WWF Wildlife Enforcer of the Year Award 2007 winner, Nige Lound of Lincolnshire Police.  Heather Sohl from WWF gave a short presentation about their contribution to the work of the PAW Publicity working group; this was followed by a short discussion on how partners can contribute to the work of PAW.

• Police and Customs Wildlife Enforcement Conference 2007
  The 19th annual UK Police and Customs Wildlife Enforcement conference took place at the Villa Marina, Douglas, Isle of Man from the 9-11 October 2007. Over 120 delegates attended, representing police forces across the UK, Government Departments and voluntary organisations with an interest in wildlife law enforcement. The conference included its usual mix of case studies and workshops covering a range of wildlife enforcement issues.

  We were delighted to welcome The Honourable George Martin Quayle MHK, Minister for Home Affairs, Isle of Man Government who opened the conference.  Mr Quayle welcomed delegates to the Isle of Man and said, ‘This Conference provides an opportunity for you to discuss matters of concern, as well as bringing you up to date with what has been happening in the field of wildlife conservation and law enforcement.

  The Manx Government strongly supports all measures to tackle threats to wildlife. We are committed to working with our partners to ensure that wildlife crime is taken seriously, and by hosting this Conference, we are actively demonstrating that commitment’.

• EU Wildlife Trade Enforcement Co-ordination Workshop
  This workshop took place from 25-27 October 2005. Over 70 delegates representing all EU Member States attended the event. The aim of the workshop was to address wildlife trade law enforcement co-ordination and information exchange issues between EU Member States. Workshop delegates agreed a 'Statement and Recommendations' (Adobe Acrobat .PDF, 40 KB) which included proposals for an EU Enforcement Action Plan. Copies of the Statement are also available from the Secretariat.