Debates between Liz Twist and Baroness Hayman of Ullock during the 2017-2019 Parliament

Tue 12th Jun 2018
Ivory Bill (First sitting)
Public Bill Committees

Committee Debate: 1st sitting: House of Commons

Ivory Bill (First sitting)

Debate between Liz Twist and Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Committee Debate: 1st sitting: House of Commons
Tuesday 12th June 2018

(6 years, 6 months ago)

Public Bill Committees
Read Full debate Ivory Act 2018 View all Ivory Act 2018 Debates Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts Amendment Paper: Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 12 June 2018 - (12 Jun 2018)
Liz Twist Portrait Liz Twist
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Q So you would like to see the Bill amended to reflect that?

Alexander Rhodes: Yes.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock Portrait Sue Hayman
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Q We have talked quite a bit about enforcement and implementation once the Bill is complete. There is so much potential for mis-selling and for misleading behaviour. We have talked about the internet. It is incredibly complicated. When this Bill becomes law, how fit is the judiciary to manage sentencing and stop this trade happening? Do we want guidelines attached to the Bill for the judiciary? Do we want training? What kind of sentencing do we need to stop it happening? I would be interested to get your thoughts on that.

Charlie Mayhew: Absolutely. As part of this Bill—I believe DEFRA is planning to do this anyway—we need a significant awareness programme, not only for the judiciary but for the general public. That is essential. Educating the public, the judiciary and the enforcement officers is absolutely essential.

We very much hope that, in the same vein that DEFRA has consulted us to date, it will be willing to consult us on the guidance notes. I fully endorse that. There is a desperately increasing need to educate the judiciary in African countries on enforcing the legislation against the illegal wildlife trade, poaching and so on. In some countries, they are more advanced than others. We see how important it is that the judiciary fully understands the scope of this Bill and how it is going to be enforced.

Alexander Rhodes: It is interesting that a number of the African countries that are members of the elephant protection initiative and others have been working hard with support from colleagues to develop prosecution and sentencing guidelines for wildlife crime, in particular in relation to the ivory trade.