Endangered Species

HC Deb 29 April 1983 vol 41 cc441-2W

Mr. Wrigglesworth

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Government support the proposal to include hair seals in appendix II of the convention on international trade in endangered species by 1986.

Mr. Macfarlane

Subject to evidence presented at the conference now taking place in Botswana, the United Kingdom will support the proposal to list immediately on appendix II all hair seals not already listed on appendix I.

Mr. Wrigglesworth

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Government support the proposal to include Baird's beaked whales, Bryde's whales and all species of great whales in appendix I of the convention on international trade in endangered species by 1984.

Mr. Macfarlane

Unless new evidence is produced at the conference in Botswana, only the proposal to list Bryde's whale appears to meet the internationally agreed criteria for appendix I listing.