‘The plans would see the Ivory Act broadened to cover more animals, with ministers saying elephants are not the only species at risk. The proposed protections opened for public consultation on Saturday [17 July], and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has urged industry stakeholders and members of the public to share their views.’
The Guardian, 17th July 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘We are grateful to the contributors to this Newsletter. Sam Skinner’s case note on the recent decision in R -v- Brecani addresses the consequence of this important shift away from accepting as expert evidence the conclusive decisions made by civil servants within the Home Office on referrals for human trafficking and modern slavery. Kate Kelleher provides a timely reminder that the provisions of the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 is in force from 29th June 2021 and provides a commentary on the most notable recent developments in the prosecutions of animal welfare offences. In April and May Catherine Rose and Tom Parker ran a 2-part webinar session on Open-Source Evidence with contributions from a panel of leading experts from the US and UK. Their article is just a taster of the material covered in greater depth in the sessions. A timely warning to apply the basic critical analysis we use in relation to evidence from many scientific fields to all such evidence before relying on it at face value. Mary Prior Q.C. has provided a comprehensive round up in the Crime Bulletin of all the recent decisions of importance in a broad spectrum of procedural and offence-based areas.’
The 36 Group, 28th June 2021
Source: 36group.co.uk
‘Animals are to be formally recognised as sentient beings in UK law for the first time, in a victory for animal welfare campaigners, as the government set out a suite of animal welfare measures including halting most live animal exports and banning the import of hunting trophies.’
The Guardian, 12th May 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Taskforce will investigate and draw up action to tackle these crimes.’
Home Office, 8th May 2021
Source: www.gov.uk/home-office
2021 c. 24 – Fire Safety Act 2021
2021 c. 21 – Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021
2021 c. 20 – Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Act 2021
2021 c. 19 – Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act 2021
2021 c. 18 – Prisons (Substance Testing) Act 2021
2021 c. 16 – Education and Training (Welfare of Children) Act 2021
2021 c. 15 – British Library Board (Power to Borrow) Act 2021
2021 c. 13 – Non-Domestic Rating (Public Lavatories) Act 2021
2021 c. 12 – Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act 2021
Source: www.legislation.gov.uk
‘A High Court judge has ordered HS2 to stop felling trees at a wood that inspired Roald Dahl to write Fantastic Mr Fox, ahead of a hearing into whether the government licences were issued legitimately.’
The Independent, 17th April 2021
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘As we all know, the acquisition of puppies during lockdown has gone through the roof with the inevitable sad consequences of remorse followed by neglect and even abandonment. Dog theft has spiralled as the market responds by escalating the price of pedigree puppies.’
UK Human Rights Blog, 7th April 2021
Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com
‘For nearly two centuries, the RSPCA has pursued private prosecutions against people it suspects of cruelty to animals. Now, under pressure from MPs, it has said it plans to end that practice and turn over its files to the Crown Prosecution Service instead.’
The Guardian, 28th January 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Gene editing of crops and livestock may soon be permitted in England for the first time under a consultation launched by the government on Thursday.’
The Guardian, 7th January 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A major house builder has been ordered to pay what is understood to be the largest fine ever issued by a court in relation to a wildlife crime. On 8 December at Woolwich Crown Court, Bellway Homes pleaded guilty to the offence between 17 March 2018 and 17 August 2018 of damaging or destroying a breeding site or resting place for bats.’
Local Government Lawyer, 14th December 2020
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘The government has said it is planning to ban the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening, as it seeks to “strengthen the UK’s position as a world leader on animal welfare”.’
The Independent, 3rd December 2020
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘A man who stole penguins and rare birds from a zoo has been jailed.’
BBC News, 30th October 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘A woman died after a cow charged at her and flipped her over a fence, an inquest has heard.’
BBC News, 22nd October 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘The Supreme Court unanimously dismissed this appeal addressing whether proof of an offence contrary to Regulation 30(1)(g) of the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015, brought against a business operator as defined in Regulation (EC) No. 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing, requires proof of mens rea and/or some culpable act or omission on the part of the business operator.’
UKSC Blog, 16th October 2020
Source: ukscblog.com
‘Lawyers have warned HS2 it might be felling trees illegally, after an ecology report found evidence of one of the UK’s rarest bat species in an area of ancient woodland being cleared for the high-speed rail line.’
The Guardian, 10th October 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘This is the second instalment of our collaboration with the Environmental Law Foundation, who are acting for acting for local residents in the Forest of Dean on a translocation of pine martens from Scotland. We discuss bats, other protected species and relative success of the introduction of beavers to the British Isles.’
Law Pod UK, 5th October 2020
Source: audioboom.com
‘Rosalind English gathers a panel of experts together to discuss the thorny issue of reintroduction of endangered species. This episode is part of a two part series on the subject, organised by the Environmental Law Foundation that promotes access to justice in matters of environmental law.’
Law Pod UK, 29th September 2020
Source: audioboom.com
‘A 29-year-old man has been jailed for 56 weeks for trading in endangered species.’
Crown Prosecution Service, 26th August 2020
Source: www.cps.gov.uk
‘Not all local authorities require dog walkers, trainers and groomers to have qualifications and licences to operate, say the RSPCA, and this can lead to some animals being put at risk.’
BBC News, 18th August 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘Fifteen families of beavers have been given the permanent “right to remain” on the River Otter in East Devon.’
BBC News, 6th August 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
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