conference will hear public call to
'take wildlife crime more seriously'

Agencies should be taking wildlife and environmental crime more seriously — said 90% of respondents in a telephone survey conducted by the Countryside Council for Wales. This finding will be presented to delegates at the Wildlife Crime Conference today, Monday, 14 November 2005.

In opening the conference, Alun Ffred Jones AM, Chair of the Environment, Planning and Countryside Committee will challenge the delegates, including senior police officers and crown prosecutors, to think about how the public looks at our work.

Alun Ffred Jones AM, Chairman of the Environment
Planning and Countryside Committee, NAW:

'In the near future the Welsh Assembly Government will have new powers to deal with wildlife and environmental crime. At this Conference, I hope that practitioners will give us recommendations on what different or new laws would make their jobs more effective.'

The conference, jointly chaired by North Wales Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom will also hear about successes in the field of wildlife law enforcement, and themes will be as diverse as:

Working the media
Steve Freer, BBC

Crimewatch initiative
Lindsey Meek, Environment Agency

Sites, species and the planning process
Steve Moon, Association of Local Government Ecologists

A developers perspective
Tom Anwyl, Anwyl Construction

Roger Thomas, Chief Executive
Countryside Council for Wales:

'There is a great deal of excellent work taking place around Wales. Following from past conferences we know that strong networks have been formed and agencies share knowledge and expertise to increase awareness of the damaging effects of wildlife crime and how better to deal with it.

These networks ultimately make a significant contribution towards conserving and enhancing the rich wildlife and habitats of Wales. Indeed there have been notable successes, among them an initiative to combat fly—tipping and the identification of conservation priorities and a new forum to combat the problems of anti—social fires in the countryside.

This is why I strongly endorse CCW's involvement in arranging this conference.'

Posted: 10 November 2005

For more information or photo opportunities:

Meinir Wigley, Senior PR Officer
Countryside Council for Wales
Mobile: 07720 428 644

Gillian Bilsborough, Senior Species Protection Officer
Countryside Council for Wales
Mobile: 07775 507 550

Notes to editors:

The fifth wildlife and environmental crime conference takes place at the Celtic Royal Hotel, Caernarfon.

The Conference is organised this year by CCW and North Wales Police

The Countryside Council for Wales' Enquiries Unit conducted the telephone survey. The sample survey was 100

CCW is an independent adviser to government, working for a better Wales where everyone values and cares for our natural environment. More information about our work is available on www.ccw.gov.uk