HL Deb 01 May 2003 vol 647 cc128-9WA
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they issue guidance for Ministers and Officials on overseas visits with regard to the consumption at official occasions of species which are on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species lists. [HL2488]

Lord Whitty

Specific guidance is not provided to Ministers and officials on such matters, although advice on the rules and procedures relating to the operation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is available on the DEFRAwebsite at www.ukcites.gov.uk. It should be noted that a number of CITES species are traded quite legitimately for human consumption and it is the responsibility of the host's officials to ensure that such products are legally obtained from a sustainable source.