Birds of prey being persecuted!

We took the dogs out this morning end enjoyed a two hour stroll around the Old Moor Nature reserve. The highlight of the walk was watching a Buzzard doing lazy circles in the sky over Cat Hill and disappearing off into the distance. I think most of you who read my blog will know that I am a conservationist with an interest in Bats and also an RSPB volunteer. So is should come as no surprise for me to ask if you will add your name to an ePetition. The petition is to ask DEFRA to Introduce the offence of vicarious liability for raptor persecution in England. (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.)

DEFRA Scotland in recognising that those who persecute birds of prey, frequently do so at the direction of their employers or others with vested interests. DEFRA in Scotland has just introduced an offence of vicarious liability, the purpose of which is to bring those parties to justice.

This petition calls on the government to introduce an offence of vicarious liability to bring to justice those who direct or turn a blind eye to raptor persecution in England.

As an indication of how bad thing are, in the last year only four pairs of Hen Harriers successfully reared chicks in England, fourteen peregrine falcon territories failed on grouse moors in Lancashire's Forest of Bowland, and only one successful Goshawk nest was recorded in the Derwent Valley, Derbyshire. Current legislation is not enough to deter those who break the law and destroy our heritage; the introduction of vicarious liability would hit those directing the slaughter.

You can add your name to the governments ePetition here.

The petition is for British citizens or residents only. At present the petition has some 5,600 signatures. A minimum of 100,000 signatures are required by November 2012 in order to trigger a response from the responsible government department (DEFRA).

Later....