Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 6th December 2023
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Big drop in wildlife crime convictions
Crimes involving marine mammals rose by 13 per cent.
Nature groups call on Government to do more to tackle problem.

The number of people being convicted of wildlife crimes has fallen by more than 40 per cent, the seventh annual Wildlife Crime Report has revealed.

In 2022, there were 526 convictions for crimes relating to wildlife in England and Wales, a fall of 42 per cent from the 900 successful convictions in 2021. The drop is much larger than the decrease in reported crimes during the same period, which fell by just under nine per cent from an estimated 4,885 to around 4,457.

Despite the small drop in overall crime, the report revealed a rise in the number of marine mammal incidents, which increased by 13 per cent, and bat crime incidents, which rose by 23 per cent.

The report was put together by Wildlife and Countryside Link, a coalition of 82 organisations. Following the publication of the report the group has expressed its disappointment that those harming wildlife are not being convicted.

Dominic Dyer, Wildlife and Countryside Link’s wildlife crime chair, said: “To put it simply, people who hurt wildlife are getting away with it, with a lack of convictions leaving them free to cause further suffering.

“Despite shockingly high levels of wildlife crime in recent years we’re not seeing higher levels of convictions to give nature the justice it deserves.”

There is no official data available on wildlife crime, with the estimated figures instead coming from reports to wildlife organisations made by members of the public. This means that the true number of crimes is likely to be higher.

Wildlife and Countryside Link has called on the Home Office to make wildlife crimes notifiable so that they are recorded in official Government statistics.

Mr Dyer said: “With the Government’s deadline to halt the decline of nature by 2030 getting ever closer, it’s time for ministers to take the issue of wildlife crime seriously. This means the Home Office making it a notifiable offence to help police forces identify crime hotspots and plan accordingly.”

Image © Shutterstock

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.