HC Deb 03 March 1995 vol 255 cc755-6W
Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what information his Department requires from a potential seller in considering whether or not to grant an exemption certificate to sell a bird listed in appendix I of the convention on international trade in endangered species;

(2) what methods his Department uses to monitor the sale of the species of birds listed in appendix I of CITES and annex C I of EC regulation 3626/82; and if his Department regularly monitors the bird trade journals.

Sir Paul Beresford

When considering an application for an individual exemption my Department normally seeks the following key information:

  • details of the vendor, including where appropriate any convictions under wildlife legislation;
  • details of the specimen to be sold, including any identifying marks or rings;
  • details about the origin and date of acquisition of the specimen, including any information relating to captive breeding;

The applicant must also sign a declaration to state that the information provided is correct and complete to the best of the applicant's knowledge and belief.

The police are primarily responsible for enforcing controls on the sale of wildlife within Great Britain. They monitor relevant trade and local publications selectively to identify potential offences. My Department checks advertisements in several national journals and passes details of any potential offences to the police. The Department's wildlife inspectorate also looks out for any evidence of sales offences.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many exemption certificates have been issued for the sale of Livingstone's Turacos—Tauraco livingstonii—in each of the last four years, including 1995 to date; and if he will make a statement;

(2) how many Livingstone's Turacos—Tauraco livingstonii—have been imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last four years including 1995; and if he will indicate the origins of such birds.

Sir Paul Beresford

The Department's records show that in the last four years we did not issue any sales exemptions for this species and that we did not grant any permits to import specimens to Great Britain from countries outside the European Community. We understand that some confusion may exist about the rules concerning several species in the genus Tauraco, and we shall be issuing advice to traders shortly.