UK JOINS US TO LEAD WORLD FIGHT AGAINST WILDLIFE CRIME
02 February 2006 - Defra

Biodiversity Minister Jim Knight announced in India today that the UK Government is joining the US-led Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking and he urged India and China to do so in order to save rare species, such as tigers, from extinction.

The aims of the Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking are very similar to the UK's very successful national initiative known as Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW), in which Government and civil society join together to fight wildlife crime.

PAW has brought together people and organisations with an interest in combating wildlife crime. The PAW model has been commended and adopted by other countries.

The UK National Wildlife Crime Intelligence Unit, which has also been commended internationally, has had a key role in ensuring that the UK plays its part in assisting international wildlife law enforcement as well as supporting wildlife law enforcers in the UK.

Jim Knight welcomed the US move and said he was keen to explore ways in which the US initiative might complement international efforts by the UK Government.

"Stopping illegal trade in wildlife is not something that any government or nation can do alone. It requires international co-operation and the support of non governmental organisations. We fully share the US concerns, not only about the conservation implications of the illegal wildlife trade, but also the possible links with serious organised crime.

"I am particularly pleased that the Coalition has decided to focus initially on Asia and I welcome the contribution the US has already made to training and other capacity building activities. I very much hope that India and China will also join the Coalition."

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