2025 Wildlife Crime Prevention Award Nominees
About the Category
Sponsored by the League Against Cruel Sports, this new category highlights UK politicians who have shown exceptional commitment to tackling wildlife crime. Nominees will have taken bold and effective action to confront illegal activities that harm animals and habitats, from cracking down on illegal hunting and trafficking to strengthening enforcement and legal protections.
The 2025 Wildlife Crime Prevention Shortlist
Matt Western MP
Matt Western MP
Matt Western MP
In February 2024, Matt Western wrote to the Home Secretary about his concerns on the Warwickshire Hunt and Warwickshire Police’s opaque protocol, with a follow up letter sent in March which was picked up by Channel 4 News. On the 22nd October 2024, Matt Western MP spoke in Parliament about his frustration about the Warwickshire Police hun
In February 2024, Matt Western wrote to the Home Secretary about his concerns on the Warwickshire Hunt and Warwickshire Police’s opaque protocol, with a follow up letter sent in March which was picked up by Channel 4 News. On the 22nd October 2024, Matt Western MP spoke in Parliament about his frustration about the Warwickshire Police hunting scandal which saw them enter a secret deal with the Warwickshire Hunt in relation to its activities. The deal has since been replaced by a “code of behaviour” that sets out policing expectations.
John Blair MLA
Matt Western MP
Matt Western MP
As Alliance's Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs spokesperson, John Blair has launched a consultation on banning hunting wild animals with dogs. The Private Members Bill (launched in October 2024) has been backed by the League Against Cruel Sports and the USPCA. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK where it is still legal to hunt mammals for sport.
Ariane Burgess MSP
Ariane Burgess MSP
Ariane Burgess MSP
Ariane Burgess MSP has been a vocal advocate for the end of grouse shooting on Scottish estates. Burgess submitted three amendments to the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill last year, with the aim of eliminating public funding for grouse shooting estates. Burgess's amendments were rejected by Holyrood.
Mary Creagh MP
Ariane Burgess MSP
Ariane Burgess MSP
Mary Creagh has been instrumental in expanding wildlife protection legislation to combat the illegal ivory trade. In January 2025, she led efforts to extend the Ivory Act protections to cover four additional species: hippos, killer whales, sperm whales, and narwhals. These extended protections ban all trade in ivory from these species, closing important loopholes in existing legislation.