Written question asked by Sally Keeble (Labour) on Monday, 8 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 November 2004. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Monday, 15 November 2004 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, what progress is being made in increasing protection for endangered species internationally.

Answer: Ms Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress is being made in increasing protection for endangered species internationally. [197603] Mr. Morley: Endangered species are protected internationally under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Proposals to increase the protection afforded to a number of different plant and animal species were adopted at the 13th Conference of CITES Parties, which was held in Bangkok, Thailand, at the beginning of October. Endangered species such as the Irrawaddy dolphin, sulphur-crested cockatoo and spider tortoise were added to Appendix I of CITES, which means that all commercial trade in them is now prohibited. Others such as the great white shark, humphead wrasse and Chinese yew were added to Appendix II, which means that trade in these species will now be more strictly regulated than was the case before. Proposals to improve the enforcement of, and compliance with, CITES were also adopted, as were initiatives to address the illegal trade in great apes, Asian big cats and bushmeat.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 426 c1001W;426 c1005W; 197603
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Conservation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species Protection Standards Wildlife
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk