There aren’t many grouse moors in Wales but nonetheless, Hen Harriers that disappear in Wales seem to be drawn to those few spots (see here).
This response from Llyr Gruffydd is pretty good considering that this issue is never going to be as high up the agenda in Wales as it is in England and Scotland.
If you have already contacted your elected politician – thank you! You are one of over 57,000 who have done so.
But if you want to give your elected politician a nudge to act for change then please send them a message through this e-action which is a joint campaign by the RSPB, Hen Harrier Action and Wild Justice. Click here to have a look please. Thank you!
Here is the Plaid response:
Thank you very much for getting in contact with me regarding the need for urgent action to protect the Hen Harrier, as part of a joint campaign with Wild Justice, the RSPB and Hen Harrier Day UK.
In your correspondence you raise valid concerns about the increase in reported illegal persecution under lockdown of birds of prey, specifically the Hen Harrier, across the UK during lockdown, and the negative effect this will have on biodiversity and our environment.
Plaid Cymru have a strong track record of standing up for Wales’ environment, and protecting the welfare of our wildlife. To this regard we welcome the actions taken by Welsh Government to fund the satellite-tagging of hen harriers in 2020 and for part-funding the role of Raptor Officer with RSPB Cymru this year.
However, it’s clear that there is more that can be done. That is why in my role as Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson on the Environment & Rural Affairs I have asked Lesley Griffiths, Welsh Government Minister for the Environment what steps are the Welsh Government taking to protect these endangered wildlife, following a surge in reported illegal persecution of birds of prey, most notably the Hen Harrier, across the UK in recent months. Her answer will eventually be published online on the Record of the Senedd.
Once again, thank you very much for your advocacy for these endangered species, and for raising your concerns with me.
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Yes, a positive response in my view and of course streaks better than any Tory response. Let’s hope Lesley Griffiths matches this response.
“However, it’s clear that there is more that can be done”.
Spot on and in stark contrast to the government’s tired old insistence that raptor persecution is a wildlife crime priority whilst showing zero inclination do anything more than what has been proven over and again to be totally insufficient to stop the persecution!