UK: Wildlife Crime Unit Under Threat

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

Many sources have shown the importance of the natural world to the Celts, for example in the following on the Transceltic website:

http://www.transceltic.com/pan-celtic/swan-celtic-mythology

http://www.transceltic.com/…/ravens-celtic-and-norse-mythol…

The English empire continues to keep some of the Celtic nations under the banner of the United Kingdom. For 10 years the UK has had a specifically trained and dedicated branch of the police force, the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), to investigate breaches of the laws protecting the UK's wildlife heritage. However, the NWCU was not guaranteed funding in the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne's spending review, and the unit is threatened with closure.

http://www.theguardian.com/…/national-wildlife-unit-to-clos…

http://www.independent.co.uk/…/david-cameron-asked-to-save-…

The Guardian article mentions that the actual financial saving would not be large, suggesting that the decision not to fund the unit had ulterior motives. The UK Conservative Parties supporters include rich landowners who manage land for red grouse and pheasant shoots. There have been many cases of birds of prey being persecuted on their estates, especially peregrine falcons and hen harriers. Indeed, a member of the UK Royal Family was questioned about shooting hen harriers on land adjoining one of their estates in England.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/nov/07/monarchy.wildlife

This clearly shows that the UK has one law for the rich and one for the poor. The UK Government campaign against trade unions giving funding to the Labour Party, but how much funding does the Conservative Party receive from rich land owners? Is the decision not to fund the NWCU connected to that funding?

The articles also mention the UK and the NWCU having a part in fighting wildlife crime worldwide, a role referred to in the Conservative Party's manifesto in last year's General Election. The manifesto stated that they “will continue to lead the world in stopping the poaching that kills thousands of rhinos, elephants and tigers each year.” Tigers killed by poachers are used in Chinese traditional medicines, but one suspects that David Cameron did not discuss the subject with the Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to the UK last October. Hypocrisy?

This article was compiled by Allen Moore the Celtic League (Mannin) Branch Environmental spokesperson

BERNARD MOFFATT

Issued by: The Celtic News

19/02/16

THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE.

The Celtic League established in 1961 has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It promotes cooperation between the countries and campaigns on a range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, military activity and socio-economic issues

http://celticleague.net