Wildlife crime is a serious issue seen across many jurisdictions that poses a threat to our biodiversity and the sustainable development of countless communities.
Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity contribute to the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework through National Biodiversity Action Plans. Ireland's 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) 2023- 2030 was published in January and sets out Ireland’s vision for biodiversity, with a “whole of government, whole of society” approach to the governance and conservation of nature.
This is the first NBAP to be published on a statutory basis, under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2023, and includes targets to ensure that the governance and legislative framework for biodiversity conservation is robust, clear and enforceable, strengthening action on wildlife crime. This target will be underpinned by enhanced collaboration between the National Parks and Wildlife Service, An Garda Síochána, Revenue’s Customs Service and other relevant authorities to ensure adequate training and resourcing to enforce environmental and wildlife legislation.
Each entity responsible for actions within the NBAP will provide an annual update on progress and will contribute to an Interim and Final Review of the Plan. My colleague, Minister O'Brien will bring a progress report to Cabinet at least once a year.
Prosecuting breaches of wildlife legislation can be an effective deterrent to wildlife crime. Taking a case from reporting and investigative stage through to successful prosecution can be challenging. Nevertheless, the work of NPWS staff across the organisation has seen an increase in prosecution cases for breaches of wildlife legislation taken of 39% in 2023 compared to 2022 figures, with 169 cases sent by NPWS to the Chief State Solicitors office since 2019 and it has successfully closed over 118 cases since 2020.
A breakdown of cases initiated by the NPWS with the CSSO for each of the years 2014 to 2023 will be forwarded to the Deputy once compiled.
Whilst bringing perpetrators of wildlife crime to justice is crucial, ensuring compliance in the first instance is also of critical importance. NPWS's capability to monitor compliance, detect, prevent, educate and outreach as well as take enforcement action is being greatly enhanced through the recruitment of additional NPWS staff across the organisation. A dedicated NPWS Directorate for Wildlife Enforcement and Nature Protection is now leading on the development of NPWS policies and strategies for wildlife crime. The Wildlife Act is also being reviewed to improve its enforceability, and a public consultation on this will be announced shortly.
I am strongly committed to supporting the efforts of authorities to fulfil their enforcement functions under wildlife legislation as effectively as possible and working to achieve increased compliance. The approach taken in the latest National Biodiversity Action Plan for biodiversity action, underpinned by unprecedented levels of resourcing, will help deliver on targets for biodiversity conservation that are measurable and impactful.
