19 January 2010
Immediate release
 
MURRAY ACCUSES SNP OF BEING SOFT ON WILDLIFE CRIME

Labour's Environment spokesman Elaine Murray MSP has accused the Scottish Government of being soft on wildlife crime as figures today showed a substantial rise in the number of poaching and hare coursing incidents.

New figures for wildlife crime in Scotland show deer poaching cases increased 47 % last year, while fish poaching rose 75 % and hare coursing 120 %.

Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime Scotland (Paws) has today launched an awareness campaign in a bid to crackdown on these types of incidents.

Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries and Scottish Labour's Environment spokesperson, said:
"I back this campaign and the rise in wildlife crime in Scotland is deeply concerning. Not only is poaching on the rise, but there has also been a high number of poisonings of birds of prey in the past year.

“In Dumfries and Galloway we’ve recently had the sad cases of snaring and shooting badgers and poisoning of buzzards.

"Since they came to power, the SNP have been soft on wildlife crime in Scotland and it is time they moved animal welfare issues higher up their agenda.

“In order to tackle poisonings, we have called for estates to be named and shamed where foul play is involved.

"These figures today show it is time for robust action not just warm words."

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