PAW Objectives
Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime NI (PAW NI) brings together statutory, non-statutory agencies & interested parties with the common goal of combating wildlife crime through publicity, education and campaigning.
PAW NI takes a lead in considering strategic issues concerned with combating wildlife;
Members link with the PSNI Wildlife Liaison Officer and other key enforcement agencies;
A forum to facilitate the exchange of information, expertise on wildlife enforcement between all the members involved;
Working to increase public awareness of key issues associated with combating wildlife crime;
Raising the profile of wildlife crime within the judiciary & statutory agencies;
Promoting and encourage the use of and research into forensic technologies.
PAW NI is a member of PAW UK
News
Dorset man jailed for 2 months for shooting an otter at stocked fishery - see details here
Man caught smuggling £53 Million worth of live eels out of the UK gets 2 year suspended sentence and Community Service Order - see here
Drone and Model Aircraft Registration - Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced mandatory Drone and Model Aircraft registration from 30 November 2019. More details here
PAW NI Bird of Prey Subgroup's HAWK EYES Project goes live!
PAW NI has launched a new project involving satellite tracking devices on birds of prey and surveillance cameras at nest sites to target the illegal persecution of red kites, buzzards and peregrine falcons. This project is being launched in conjunction with PAW NI’s “10 Years of Persecution” Report which shows the scale of raptor persecution over the last 10 years and shows that birds of prey continue to be at risk in Northern Ireland. Visit the Hawk Eyes website for full details and see the movements of a few of the birds across the country. Hawk Eyes was kindly supported by Department of Justice (DoJ) Assets Recovery Community Scheme (ARCS) funding.
PAW NI Birds of Prey Subgroup launches 10 year Raptor Persecution Report 2009-18 revelling there were 72 incidents of confirmed raptor persecution across Northern Ireland, resulting in the death or injury of 66 birds of prey and the destruction of two active nest sites. The report is available here on the reports section of the website.
‘Undisturbed’- NWCU launches campaign to educate wildlife photographers and drone pilots
The affordability of modern digital camera technology has produced an ever-growing interest in capturing photographs of wildlife. A number of leading UK wildlife photographers and charitable organisations have now expressed concern at the amount of wildlife disturbance being caused by prospective photographers seeking natural history subjects. Unlicensed disturbance of mammals and birds may result in a conviction under wildlife or marine legislation attracting sentences up to £5,000 fine or 6 month’s imprisonment. Tweeting under the handle @ukwildlifecrime the NWCU have a summer of messages to help spread the word. PAW NI have recently linked this website to the NIEA's guidance for photographers here.
The Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order (Northern Ireland) 2019 -In line with Defra, and the other devolved administrations, the Department has introduced new domestic legislation to fulfil its obligations under the EU Regulation. The Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order (Northern Ireland) 2019(external link opens in a new window / tab) makes provision for criminal offences relating to breaches of requirements of the EU Regulation. The Order comes into operation on 1st December 2019.
PAW STEERING GROUP MINUTES
Useful links
Animal Welfare -
The Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011 is enforced by three bodies, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Councils and the PSNI.
DAERA is responsible for farmed animals (any animal bred or kept for the production of food, wool or skin or for other farming purposes). The Department also licenses riding establishments, boarding kennels, pet shops and zoos. Tel: 0300 200 7840
Councils are responsible for enforcement in respect of non-farmed animals i.e. domestic pets and equines (e.g. horses and donkeys etc). For all domestic (pet) animal welfare enquires please contact your local council - numbers and email addresses are linked here.
The PSNI are responsible for wildlife crime, animal fighting and incidents involving wild animals such as badger baiting, poisoning of birds and trapping wildlife illegally. Tel: 101 or see above.
Bats - For information and advice on how to deal with problem bats in the home contact CEDaR Tel: 02890395264 or visit the NI Bat Groups website here.
For information about bats and your legal obligations; bats and development or bat roosts protection during household maintenance contact the NIEA for advice 02890569551 or email elmswildlife@daera-ni.gov.uk
