Written question asked by Emily Thornberry (Labour) on Wednesday, 31 October 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 November 2018. It was answered by Mark Field (Conservative) on Friday, 9 November 2018 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

China: Animal Products

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Chinese government on that government's decision to legalise the use of products derived from (a) tigers and (b) rhinoceros horn in medical centres.

Answer: The UK is at the forefront of international efforts to protect endangered animals from unsustainable trade. We hosted a high level conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade in London in October, and at that conference China co-hosted a session on combatting the ivory trade following their introduction of a domestic ivory ban. We are aware of China’s recent adjustment to their 1993 legislation on tiger and rhino products, and are actively seeking a meeting with the relevant department in the Chinese Government to discuss the matter.

Secondary information