Nurse, Angus (2011) Policing wildlife: the current state of wildlife law. In: Protecting Wildlife: A Symposium on Future Policy, 1 July 2011, National Council for Voluntary Organisations (London).

PDF The_Current_State_of_Wildlife_Law.pdf - Whole Document Restricted to Registered users only Download (96Kb) | Request a copy

Abstract

While many campaigners argue for stronger wildlife laws and a more punitive regime,the reality is that wildlife laws are broadly sufficient, given their purpose as conservation rather than criminal justice legislation. However, analysis of the wildlife law enforcement regime in the UK reveals that in practice enforcement rather than legislative deficiencies are the problem. As a result, this paper argues that calls for tougher sentences to reduce wildlife crime are misplaced, as tougher laws and a more punitive legislative regime are unlikely to be effective without corresponding improvements in the enforcement regime. However inconsistency and confusion are rife in current wildlife laws. This paper also argues that there is scope to review wildlife legislation and produce consolidated legislation that could allow for more effective practical enforcement by addressing the ambiguous wording and different standards of wildlife protection that currently exists in UK law.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Additional Information:	While many campaigners argue for stronger wildlife laws and a more punitive regime,the reality is that wildlife laws are broadly sufficient, given their purpose as conservation rather than criminal justice legislation. However, analysis of the wildlife law enforcement regime in the UK reveals that in practice enforcement rather than legislative deficiencies are the problem. As a result, this paper argues that calls for tougher sentences to reduce wildlife crime are misplaced, as tougher laws and a more punitive legislative regime are unlikely to be effective without corresponding improvements in the enforcement regime. However inconsistency and confusion are rife in current wildlife laws. This paper also argues that there is scope to review wildlife legislation and produce consolidated legislation that could allow for more effective practical enforcement by addressing the ambiguous wording and different standards of wildlife protection that currently exists in UK law.
Keywords:	wildlife law, green criminology, policing, law enforcement
Subjects:	L Social studies > L390 Sociology not elsewhere classified M Law > M290 Law by topic not elsewhere classified M Law > M110 UK Legal Systems
Divisions:	College of Social Sciences > Faculty of Business & Law > Lincoln Law School
Depositing User:	Users 2279 not found.
Date Deposited:	14 Jul 2011 20:40
Last Modified:	13 Mar 2013 09:01
URI:	http://eprints.lincoln.ac.uk/id/eprint/4575

Actions (login required)

View Item