LABOUR MP Mike Hall is calling for a crackdown on badger baiters.
The Northwich MP has written to the Home Secretary Charles Clarke urging him to turn the screws on the cruel culprits.
Mike Hall said: 'Each year in the UK 10,000 badgers will be attacked by baiters who will subject these animals to the most violent and inhumane cruelty.
'I firmly believe that badger crime should be made a recordable of-fence. Badger-baiting involves a great deal of cruelty. Those responsible for this totally unnecessary cruelty should feel the full force of the law.'
The Environment Audit Committee published recommendations on wildlife crime last October.
One of its recommendations was that wildlife crime should be classified as recordable by the Home Office so it is given sufficient police priority.'
Mr Hall added: 'I sincerely hope that something is done to bring the perpetrators of such cruelty to justice.'
The Cheshire Wildlife Trust (CWT) supports the call of the Environment Audit Committee for an accepted definition of 'wildlife crime'.
A spokesman for CWT said: 'At present species such as bats, badgers and otters are protected
under specific Acts such as the Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981) and the Badger Act (1992), which prevent killing, acts of cruelty to individual animals and destruction of their homes.
'Wider countryside crimes are considered difficult to define and therefore record.
'CWT would fully support the need for further resources to fund county-based wildlife liaison officers so that current legislation can be fully implemented.'
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