Wildlife criminals warned Scotland not easy target
14 Feb 06
Multi-agency approach will produce results, says minister
Wildlife criminals in Scotland were warned today that they will be caught and prosecuted.
The warning was given as the Deputy Environment Minister met senior police officers ahead of the busiest time of year for wildlife offences.
Speaking at the Police Wildlife Crime Conference at Tulliallan, Rhona Brankin praised the multi-agency approach to tackling criminals whose illegal actions threaten or damage some of Scotland's rarest and most fragile populations and habitats.
She said: "We are determined to put an end to wildlife crime in Scotland and have given the frontline agencies, including the police and the Crown Office, the tools to punish anyone who harms our natural heritage in the Nature Conservation Act.
"This was the first major nature conservation legislation to be introduced to Scotland in almost 25 years...
"Wildlife criminals are organised, they plan their offences in detail and go equipped to offend. It is my priority to ensure that the laws we have put in place will stop them in their tracks and protect the wildlife which makes Scotland so special.
"The commitment of the police, the Crown Office and key conservation and welfare agencies to stop wildlife crime will send out the clearest of messages to the wildlife criminal that they will be stopped. And if successfully prosecuted, they face a custodial sentence for their actions."