Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Defra
Seacole Building
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
[Insert Date 2022]
Dear Secretary of State
Urgent: Time to increase sentencing for crimes against badgers
2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the Protection of Badgers Act, and I am writing to you to ask for your support for the Badger Trust PBA30 campaign to increase the maximum sentence for crimes against badgers from 6 months to 5 years in prison. This would bring sentencing under the Protection of Badgers Act (1992) in line with the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 and address the glaring inequality that currently exists for those convicted of the most serious badger cruelty crimes.
For example, presently we have the unacceptable situation that if someone is prosecuted for badger baiting they could be given up to 5 years in prison for acts against welfare to the dogs involved, but only up to 6 months for cruelty to the badgers. Under these crimes, badgers face painful, horrific deaths. The lack of strength of sentencing in the Protection of Badgers Act is out of date with the government's move to recognise animal welfare and animal sentience across all animals.
Badgers have faced a long history of cruelty in the UK spanning hundreds of years. To this day badgers remain one of the most persecuted of all species despite having one of the highest levels of protection in law. I want to see the sentencing for badger cruelty more proportionate to the wildlife crime involved. That will bring this important badger protection legislation up to date with current animal welfare laws. This includes the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill that is currently at committee stage in the House of Commons. Longer and more proportionate sentencing will be a much stronger deterrent to those involved in these unnecessary cruel acts.
Badger Trust’s own Wildlife Crime Unit receives regular reports of badger persecution and I feel that a maximum 6-month prison sentence is not a strong enough deterrent for many of these groups, which, even when prosecuted, return to wildlife crime. Increasing sentencing will also make the crimes notifiable which will increase measurement and prosecutions.
The Protection of Badgers Act (1992) was a landmark achievement 30 years ago. It is now time to bring it in line with other animal welfare laws by making the sentencing more robust and fit for purpose. I really hope you can support this change.
Yours sincerely
[Insert your name]
