To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, in light of the 2019 Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime Northern Ireland report, whether his Department has any plans to address raptor persecution.

Several DAERA business units are actively involved in the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime Northern Ireland (PAW NI). The forum is co-chaired by NIEA and PSNI. It takes the lead in highlighting issues associated with wildlife crime across Northern Ireland, using its large potential audience to communicate the anti-wildlife crime message.

The Raptor Persecution report highlights the impacts of illegal activity on birds of prey – such activities include shooting, poisoning and nest disturbance or destruction. It is likely that the extent of this is under-recorded as there is a low probability of carcasses being found.

The PSNI are the lead enforcement body. DAERA staff have joined the PSNI on operations aimed at disrupting wildlife criminals, and are examining new approaches to educate the public and to make it easier to secure evidence for certain offences. They also work closely with the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group, through NIEA-administered Environment Fund monies, to monitor bird of prey populations, and the nests of the most vulnerable species.