Written question asked by Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice) on Monday, 1 September 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 September 2025. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Friday, 19 September 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Coral: Northern Ireland

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether a CITES permit is required to move live coral from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Answer: Live coral is not eligible for movement under the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (the “Green Lane”), as the scheme applies only to retail goods intended for final consumption in Northern Ireland. Movements of live animals and live aquatic invertebrates, such as coral, must therefore follow the standard procedures via Official Controls Regulations, including the standard SPS Requirements. Where a species of coral is protected under CITES, it will require a CITES permit for movement from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, which are issued by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

Secondary information