CRACKDOWN ON WILDLIFE CRIME - LIB DEMS

10.52.34am GMT Sat 24th May 2008

Speaking during a debate in the Scottish Parliament, Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson and South of Scotland MSP, Jim Hume, supported calls for a crackdown on wildlife crime.

Jim Hume said:-

"It is really important that those who commit crimes against wildlife are caught and punished. That's why Liberal Democrats are fully supportive of the recommendations of the Natural Justice report to improve prevention, investigation and prosecution of wildlife crime.

"Some innocent farmers are, however, concerned that there could be an impact on their livelihood from a reduction in Single Farm Payments. We believe that penalties must not be handed out on a whim and must only come after due process has been followed.

"We argued today that the Government should consider whether such due process should require a crime to have been proven in a court of law before a penalty is handed out.

The MSP continued:-

"Despite promising in October that they would adhere to due process before handing down harsh penalties, the Government tried to stop our amendment being debated today.

"The Tories betrayed the rural communities that they represent by failing to back our amendment."