To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to address rural crime such as wildlife crime and livestock theft.

The lead enforcement agency for addressing rural crime such as wildlife crime and livestock theft is the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

My Department’s Northern Ireland Environment Agency provides support and technical advice to the PSNI wildlife unit, when required, for cases of wildlife crime.

My Department’s Welfare and Enforcement Branch work closely with the PSNI in cases of livestock theft providing Department information and records concerning animal identification and movements.