We committed to a ban on the import of hunting trophies of endangered animals in our manifesto and we will deliver on this. We are currently engaging with a range of stakeholders in order to decide on the most effective approach.

No polar bear hunting trophies were imported under CITES in 2019 or 2020. The reply I gave to the hon. Member on 2 July 2021, PQ 22019, was based on inaccurately reported data which conflated information on commercial and hunting trophy trade in polar bear parts. We will publish a correction to PQ 22019.

CITES permits can be issued for a range of purposes, for example commercial, scientific or personal use. Four polar bear items were imported for commercial purposes, with permits, in 2019 and 2020.

No licences have been issued for the import of hunting trophies of polar bears in 2019, 2020 or 2021.

Imports of hunting trophies into the UK are subject to strict controls under the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations, which apply in the UK. All applications for permits to import hunting trophies into the UK are assessed to make sure that the import would not have a harmful effect on the conservation status of the species or on the extent of the territory occupied by the relevant population of the species. In addition, the applicant must provide documentary evidence, in the form of an export permit that demonstrates that the specimens have been obtained in accordance with the legislation on the protection of the species concerned.

There are import suspensions in place for countries where hunting of the species concerned is not considered to be sustainable. The need for any further suspensions is kept under active review.

The Secretary of State held a roundtable with stakeholders last month on this issue.

The Government takes the conservation of species seriously.

Polar bears are one of the six species that are protected by stricter import controls at EU level. An import permit will only be issued if no detrimental impact on the survival of the species is demonstrated and the item has been obtained from a legal and sustainable hunting operation. Internationally, we are working hard to make sure hunting does not jeopardise the survival of the species.

We are looking carefully at the issue and have previously commissioned research by Professor McDonald on trophy hunting in relation to lion conservation. Lessons from that research can be applied to other species, including polar bears. We also plan to hold a roundtable discussion with organisations from all sides of the debate in order to gain a better understanding of the issues as well as consider further scientific advice.

Defra has had no recent discussions with our overseas counterparts on proposals to protect the Last Ice Area. We were however pleased that polar bear range countries committed to the first-ever circumpolar, 10 year action plan in 2015 to protect and manage the bears and their habitat. The UK supports this collaborative approach as the way forward to ensure the long term conservation of the species.

[holding answer 18 April 2013]: The UK played an active part in efforts to secure agreement among the five polar bear range states on an acceptable basis for the protection of polar bears under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). We were disappointed that agreement could not be reached on this at the 16^th Conference of the Parties in Bangkok on 3-14 March. The UK will continue to encourage the polar bear range states and other CITES Parties to work together in the future in the best interests of conserving this important species.

EU member states take a common position on proposals submitted to Conferences of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

The UK found merit in the USA’s proposal to up-list the polar bear from Appendix II to Appendix I of CITES, submitted to the recent Conference of Parties (CoP16). The UK delegation at CoP16 worked with other member states to agree an EU position that would provide additional protection for the polar bear in a way that would better reflect evolving scientific knowledge and trade data. The EU, therefore, tabled an alternative proposal with the same aim as the USA proposal of ensuring that polar bears are not threatened by international trade and which it was hoped would secure the support of all polar bear range states.

Despite several meetings held to promote this alternative proposal during the conference and lobbying by the EU, it was not possible to gain the support of all polar bear range states for this alternative. Neither the USA proposal nor the EU alternative proposal

received sufficient support by CITES parties to be adopted, so the CITES controls regulating international trade in polar bears and their products remain unchanged.

EU member states take a common position on proposals submitted to Conferences of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to amend the level of protection afforded to species.

The UK delegation attending the 16th meeting of the Conference of Parties (CoP16) to CITES, which took place in Bangkok from 3-14 March, found merit in the US proposal and worked with other member states to agree an EU position that would provide additional protection for the polar bear in a way that would better reflect evolving scientific knowledge and trade data. The EU tabled an alternative proposal, with the same aim as the US proposal of ensuring that polar bears are not threatened by international trade. We had hoped that this would command the support of all countries in which polar bears live but this was not possible. Neither the US proposal nor the EU alternative secured sufficient support by CITES Parties and so the CITES controls regulating international trade in polar bears and their products remain unchanged.

The UK supports greater protection for the polar bear under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). This issue is being discussed at the 16^th meeting of the Conference of Parties to CITES (CoP16), currently taking place in Bangkok.

EU member states take a common position at Conferences of the Parties on proposals to amend the level of protection afforded to species. EU member states abstained when a proposal by the United States was put to a vote in Committee on 7 March. A compromise proposal by the European Union failed to achieve the required two thirds majority on the same date. The matter may be re-opened in plenary towards the end of the Conference.

The UK supports a ban on international trade in polar bear pelts and other body parts as we believe this will help to safeguard the species. DEFRA officials have been working closely with EU counterparts through meetings and electronic communication to develop a common EU position on the proposed ban on international trade in polar bears and their products.

The UK supports a ban on international trade in polar bear pelts and other body parts as we believe this will help safeguard the species.

I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The UK is committed to the conservation of polar bears and supports a ban on international trade in polar bear pelts and other body parts, as we believe this will help safeguard the species. I recently met the Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service to discuss the USA's proposal to ban international trade in polar bears and their products. The proposal will be considered at the 16th meeting of the Conference of Parties to CITES in March.

Ahead of this meeting, we have made representations through UK embassies and high commissions to a number of countries about proposals of particular interest to the UK, including the USA's proposal to transfer the polar bear to Appendix I of CITES.

The UK is committed to the conservation of polar bears and supports a ban on international trade in polar bear pelts and other body parts as we believe this will help to safeguard the species. DEFRA officials have been working closely with EU counterparts through meetings and electronic communication to develop a common EU position on the proposed ban on international trade in polar bears and their products.

I met the US Government’s director with responsibility for fish and wildlife yesterday and heard the points that he was making. We are also listening to other countries that take a contrary view. We take our CITES responsibility seriously and we are looking into this issue, so I will consult the hon. Gentleman.

Will the Government support the United States and Russia in seeking an effective ban on the trade in polar bear hides at the forthcoming CITES—convention on international trade in endangered species—conference?

We are actively considering the USA's proposal to include the polar bear in Appendix I of the convention on international trade in endangered species (CITES) but have yet to adopt a final position. Once the UK has formed an opinion on the proposal, we will work with other EU member states to finalise a common EU position for the Conference of Parties to CITES in March 2013.

DEFRA has not received any representations from the Canadian Government about the USA's proposal to include the polar bear in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Representatives from Canada (and the USA) will be attending EU meetings in early December at which the UK will be represented to discuss the proposal. We look forward to hearing their views.

DEFRA officials have participated in discussions with EU counterparts about the USA's proposal to include the polar bear in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) at the forthcoming Conference of Parties to CITES in March 2013. We are actively considering the proposal but have yet to adopt a final position.

Discussions with EU colleagues have not taken place at ministerial level.

DEFRA officials have participated in discussions with EU counterparts about the USA's proposal to include the polar bear in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) at the forthcoming Conference of Parties to CITES in March 2013. We are actively considering the proposal but have yet to adopt a final position.

Discussions with EU colleagues have not taken place at ministerial level.