§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many licences for importing exotic(a) birds, (b) reptiles,(c) mammals, (d) amphibians and (e) fish for the pet trade have been given during the last three years, broken down by (i) month and (ii) species; and if she will make a statement. [122646]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species makes it a requirement on an importer to obtain a licence for certain species which are listed on the Appendices to the Convention. They are not defined as 'exotic' as such, but are listed on the appendices according to their conservation status.
Our records, which are kept on an annual not monthly basis, show the numbers of species imported for commercial purposes—these are not necessarily exclusive to the pet trade. The following table shows the number of licences issued in each of the last three years by taxonomic category.
Birds Reptitles Mammals Amphibians Fish 2000 298 199 13 10 21 2001 469 202 31 8 22 2002 758 234 1 9 12