The Environment Minister for Northern Ireland, Alex Attwood, has announced tough new sentences against those committing crimes against wildlife, which, for the first time, includes a jail sentence.
In order to encourage the protection of wildlife, tougher punishments will be handed out for more serious offences. For example, those who illegally collect eggs of wild birds and poison wild birds, could be given a six month jail sentence and/or a fine of up to £5,000 (approximately 5,754 Euros).
The tougher punishments will be implemented by the new Wildlife and Natural Environment (Northern Ireland) Act 2011, which provides greater protection for wildlife in Northern Ireland. As well as the animals already protected by law, the new Act has been extended in order to prevent harm or death to basking sharks, sea horses, puffins, red kites and cuckoos.
Mr Attwood said, "The Act will also provide increased protection for a greater range of plants, animals and birds. I am giving enforcement authorities more powers to investigate alleged cases of wildlife crime, coupled with the introduction of new sanctions against those involved in such activity".
He continued, "For the first time custodial sentences will be an option for the most serious and persistent offenders. This should make people think and think hard about committing wildlife crime."
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