Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 December 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 December 2016 (named day). It was answered by Baroness Coffey (Conservative) on Monday, 12 December 2016 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Animals and Plants: Imports

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the number of import permits granted in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Answer

The figures above relate to licences/authorisations issued by the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) Centre for International Trade – Imports.

Trade from the EU in furs/skins does not require APHA documentation and can move on commercial documentation.

Our data retention policy stipulates that we only hold three years’ worth of data hence why we have not provided data for five years as requested.

Secondary information