Species of conservation concern is determined in the criteria set out under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). CITES lists species in its Appendices according to the level of threat international trade has on their conservation status, with Appendix I being the most threatened species.

A species may be listed in CITES Appendix I and II if it meets certain criteria, such as:

- a small or declining wild population,

- high vulnerability to external factors,

- fragmented population..

This criteria is set out in CITES Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP17).

In the UK, CITES is implemented by the Wildlife Trade Regulations (WTRs), with Annexes A and B of the WTRs broadly corresponding to CITES Appendices I and II.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), an executive agency of Defra, is responsible for issuing import permits for hunting trophies. APHA will continue to issue import permits only when the strict criteria set out in the UK Wildlife Trade Regulations are satisfied, including that the import does not have a detrimental impact on the conservation status of a species.

This Government has also committed to a ban on the import of hunting trophies of species of conservation concern in its manifesto and will deliver on this. DEFRA is currently engaging with a range of stakeholders in order to decide on the most effective approach.

The government committed to a ban on the import of hunting trophies of endangered animals in its manifesto and will deliver on this. Defra is currently engaging with a range of stakeholders in order to decide on the most effective approach.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), an executive agency of Defra, is responsible for issuing import permits for hunting trophies. APHA only issue import permits when the strict criteria set out in the UK Wildlife Trade Regulations are satisfied, including that the import does not have a detrimental impact on the conservation status of a species.

Data on permits issued for hunting trophies is publicly available on the CITES trade database - https://trade.cites.org/

The Government committed to a ban on the import of hunting trophies of endangered animals in its manifesto and will deliver on this. Defra is currently engaging with a range of stakeholders in order to decide on the most effective approach.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is responsible for releasing data on hunting trophy import permits. APHA has not yet released its data on permits issued for hunting trophies in the 2024-25 financial year. This information will be published on the CITES trade database later this year. Available here.

The UK is actively supporting efforts to ensure the survival of tigers, rhino and elephant in the wild and this involves discussions with key range countries.

I attended the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Conference of Parties held in Johannesburg from 24 September to 5 October, where the UK, working with the Member States of the European Union and Asian and African range countries, played a leading role in achieving strong outcomes for tigers, elephants and rhinos that will help ensure their survival in the wild.

For example, the UK engaged with influential tiger range countries such as India to ensure substantial decisions relating to enforcement and tiger breeding facilities were adopted. Through our work as Chair of the CITES Rhino Working Group we discuss conservation and illegal trade issues with both African and Asian countries which have populations of rhino. Elephant and ivory issues formed a significant part of the conference and the UK discussed these issues with a wide range of countries, including a number of African range states. The CITES Conference also adopted decisions in relation to cheetahs which the UK supported although we had no direct engagement in those discussions.

Poaching is a major threat to elephants, rhino and tigers and the UK has played a leading role in efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade. The UK was represented by the Secretary of State at the Illegal Wildlife Trade Vietnam conference, on 17-18 November in Hanoi, where the UK goal is to promote further international practical action on the key themes identified and the commitments agreed at the London Conference in 2014. As part of this we have discussed this matter with a number of key range states, as well as transit and consumer countries.

We are aware of the plight of Asiatic cheetahs in Iran and we welcome conservation efforts by Iran and the UN. My officials have held preliminary discussions with the Iranian Embassy in London on the issue.