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News Release 5th July 2002MICHAEL FABRICANT CAMPAIGNS AGAINST OBSCENE TRADE IN ANIMAL PARTS
"I am calling on the Government to increase the penalties for trafficking in these goods. I want the maximum sentence increased from 2 years to 5 years and the Home Office to provide sentencing guidelines to magistrates and judges. People are just unaware that small fortunes are being made in smuggling animal parts. Two Lear's macaws are worth more than an 'S' class Mercedes! The current range of penalties just isn't a deterrent to this barbaric trade. "I very much hope that no-one in the Lichfield constituency buys these animal products," adds Michael Fabricant. The photograph shows Michael Fabricant holding a bottle of Tiger balm and a rhino horn. Both were confiscated in raids conducted by the Metropolitan Police in London. The photograph was taken in the House of Commons. |
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Michael Fabricant is joining up with the World Wildlife Fund to campaign
against the illegal trade in animal parts right here in the United Kingdom.
"This is a gruesome and stomach-turning trade", says Mr Fabricant. "At a
meeting with the WWF on Tuesday (2nd July) in the House of Commons, I saw
Tiger Balm, a rhino horn, and even a stuffed baby lion cub made into an
ornament. It's revolting. The sad thing is that there is no evidence that
these medicines and aphrodisiacs have any effect except on the animals
tortured in order to get the ingredients.