§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) when the EU Committee for the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement; [64829]
(2) when the EU scientific review group for the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64884]
§ Mr. MeacherThe next meeting of the Committee on Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora is on 30 July 2002. The Scottish Executive is not represented on the Committee, or the related Scientific Review Group, as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is not a devolved matter. The July meeting will focus on agreeing a common position on proposals for the next Conference of CITES Parties, which takes place in Santiago, Chile in November. We are currently seeking views from our overseas territories and other interested parties on the merits of these proposals.
The next Scientific Review Group meeting is on 5 September 2002. The UK is represented on the Committee by scientific advisers from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (fauna) and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew (flora). The Scientific Review Group was set up to examine scientific questions relating to the implementation of CITES within the EU. The meeting in September is likely to focus on preparations for the next CITES Conference.