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Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Answer

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many exotic animals have been imported into the UK in each of the last 10 years, broken down by Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species listed species. [188146] Mr. Morley: CITES listed species are placed into one of three appendices. Appendix I--endangered species threatened and therefore prohibited from commercial trade; Appendix II--vulnerable species that may become endangered unless trade is strictly regulated; and Appendix III--species which are protected in a particular range state, for which the co-operation of other CITES Parties is required to ensure that the trade is lawful. The following table shows the numbers of live animals imported into the UK by each CITES Appendix. (Current records commenced in 1997). _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Appendix Number 1997 I 58 II 25,939 III 1,665 1998 I 103 II 46,784 III 1 1999 I 152 II 43,354 III 0 2000 I 161 II 60,874 III 81 2001 I 91 II 65,039 III 51 2002 I 124 II 74,528 III 67 2003 I 99 II 82,730 III 68 2004 I 57 II 17,724 III 70 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. There are various possible reasons for the increase. For example, increased numbers may reflect new listings, some of which (e.g.--sea horses) may be imported in large quantities; wildlife trade is dynamic, and trends over time may reflect diverse factors such as policy decisions in exporting countries, traders gaining access to new sources of supply, market forces, and the actions of CITES. Trade patterns are monitored quarterly by JNCC, and worrying trends identified. Individual applications are also scrutinised and may be refused if they are considered to be detrimental to the species concerned (thus leading to consideration by the EU Scientific Review Group as to whether action to limit such trade is required).

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

425 c89-90W; 188146

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Animals Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species Imports Wildlife

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk