PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE CRIME (13 May 2013)

That this House expresses concern at the scale of international wildlife trafficking, which is estimated to be worth in the region of £6 to £8 billion a year and growing; is alarmed by the impact of this trade on endangered species including elephants, rhinoceroses and tigers; recognises that Interpol has concluded that a significant proportion of wildlife crime is carried out by organised criminal networks and that wildlife crime often occurs hand in hand with other serious crime including money laundering, corruption and murder; welcomes the leadership of former US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton on this issue, who said in November 2012 that protecting wildlife is a national security issue, a public health issue, and an economic security issue critical to each and every country; acknowledges the efforts made by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on this issue; and calls on other Government departments including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for International Development, the Home Department and the Ministry of Defence to take a more active interest in this issue so that the UK takes a lead internationally in tackling this crime.

Sponsored by:
Neil Parish (Conservative)