Cynon Valley AM Christine Chapman has called on the Welsh Government to make tackling persecution of birds of prey a priority in 2012. The call came as the AM highlighted figures from the RSPB’s most recent Birdcrime report, which showed that 11 out of a total Welsh figure of 27 acts of persecution had taken place in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Mrs Chapman said that this “endangers already vulnerable species and is contrary to the principles of sustainability and biodiversity we are trying to promote”.
The persecution of birds of prey is one of the UK’s six wildlife crime priorities. In 2011 the peregrine falcon was added to five other species highlighted as of most concern.
Mrs Chapman said: “Five of these incidents related to peregrine falcons, including four nest robberies of eggs. The RSPB also refers to the ‘persistent problem’ of the illegal poisoning of peregrines in South Wales”.
Environment Minister John Griffiths said: “We take environmental crime and these sorts of incidents very seriously indeed. We work very closely with the police and organisations such as the RSPB carrying out operations to target people suspected of taking part in this sort of criminal activity. We are very concerned about these matters and we will continue our partnership approach”.
