Written question asked by Paul Beresford (Conservative) on Thursday, 6 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 13 November 2003. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Thursday, 13 November 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the two grey wolves for which the former Department of the Environment issued a permit for importation from Canada in 1991 were (a) from a Canadian zoo and (b) from a wild population; which zoo was the intended British destination; whether grey wolves were classified as an endangered species in Canada in 1991; whether the wolves were imported; and if she will make a statement. - (Holding answer 11 November 2003).

Answer: Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the two grey wolves for which the former Department of the Environment issued a permit for importation from Canada in 1991 were (a) from a Canadian zoo and (b) from a wild population; which zoo was the intended British destination; whether grey wolves were classified as an endangered species in Canada in 1991; whether the wolves were imported; and if she will make a statement. [138046] Mr. Morley: [holding answer 11 November 2003]: The Department issued a licence on 9 December 1991 for the importation of two wolves from Canada. In response to the specific points raised the answers are as follows: (a) The wolves came from a Canadian ranching operation which does not appear to be a zoo (b) The animals were captive bred not taken from wild populations and were brought into Howletts Zoo for breeding purposes. At the time of import wolves were listed upon Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Appendix II species are defined as species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival.

Secondary information