AQW 28066/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 14/01/2022
Answered On Date: 26/01/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether he intends to review enforcement powers under the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 before the end of the current mandate.

Answer:

The Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011extended the powers of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to investigate cases of suspected wildlife crime. Where appropriate, the PSNI may carry out this activity in conjunction with governmental or non-governmental experts who can provide specialist advice.

Penalties for those individuals found guilty of committing wildlife crime were also reviewed by the 2011 Act.

There are no plans to review these enforcement powers at this time.