Bill Oddie launches charity’s new investigations team
MPs were last night (22nd May) given the opportunity to rub shoulders with wildlife expert, TV presenter and League Vice President, Bill Oddie at a prestigious event to launch the League Against Cruel Sports’ new investigations team.
The outspoken conservationist posed for pictures with elected members who were signing a declaration pledging their support to tackle wildlife crime. The reception hosted by MPs Kerry McCarthy and Adrian Sanders, also Vice Presidents of the charity, was to raise awareness among parliamentarians of the growing problem of crimes committed against wildlife and showcase the League’s newly recruited investigating officers. Among the speakers at the event were shadow DEFRA Minister, Mary Creagh MP and Professor John Cooper QC, the League’s Chairman.
Over the next three years a massive investment of £1 million will be ploughed into the League’s operational activities to help stamp out wildlife crime. The event was also used to publish the charity’s annual hunting report which highlighted an overwhelming increase in suspicious hunting activity being reported to the League.
Speaking at the event Bill Oddie said: “I am delighted to support the League as they launch their new investigations team. There is a tendency to think of animal cruelty and crime as 'not a British problem'. Britain is by no means immune or innocent. Illegal hunting, poisoning of birds of prey, stealing of eggs and chicks, are all still rife and if anything are increasing. This is crime and they are criminals. To track them down, investigators must take risks and face danger. The investigations team may sound like a Nordic TV drama, but I am afraid it is very much a reality show, and it is British.”