§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will confirm that at a meeting between the Department of the Environment and organisations concerned with the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) on 9th February 1982, during discussion of the draft EEC CITES Regulation which was then in the final stages of negotiation, they confirmed that it would be possible to "go further" in all foreseeable circumstances and that the retention of border controls within the Community was possible under the regulation.
§ Lord SkelmersdaleI confirm that an assurance in the sense indicated was given. In the event, the United Kingdom pressed in the negotiations for a provision to enable member states to take stricter measures if they thought them justified on conservation grounds. Article 15 of the regulation resulted from those negotiations. The United Kingdom has already informed the commission that it proposes to take stricter measures within the Community for some types of animals and plants. The question of further additions will be considered on their merits.