HL Deb 21 July 2004 vol 664 cc53-6WA
Lord Rotherwick

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 5 July (WA 68), why there have been no prosecutions in 2003 in respect of seizures of imports under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Regulations 2003. [HL3692]

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 5 July (WA 68), what action was taken with the 99 live animals and birds that were seized under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Regulations in 2003. [HL3694]

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 5 July (WA 68), what was the estimated value of the live animals and birds seized under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Regulations in 2003. [HL3696]

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 5 July (WA 68), what were the species of the live animals and birds seized under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Regulations in 2003. [HL3695]

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 5 July (WA 68), what was the estimated value of the ivory seized under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Regulations in 2003. [HL3697]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

Customs will normally consider for investigation and prosecution cases involving a clear commercial use of endangered species listed in Annexes A or B of EU Regulation 338/97 or in circumstances where a deliberate or organised attempt has been made to evade or breach the regulations for commercial gain and where there is both sufficient evidence to give a realistic prospect of conviction and it is in the public interest to do so. There were no seizures during 2003 that customs deemed to meet these criteria.

Many seizures made are "technical" in nature, including errors on permits, incorrect descriptions or incorrect arrangements made for the carriage of the specimens in breach of the IATA regulations.

Live animals and birds seized by Customs are taken to the Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow Airport or other suitable border inspection posts to ensure compliance with the appropriate health and welfare requirements. Customs arrange the rehousing of specimens in consultation with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the Animal Reception Centre and others such as zoo authorities. In the case of highly endangered species included in Annex A of EU Regulation 338/97, Customs are required to consult JNCC, which is designated as the scientific authority for endangered fauna under the regulations. The precise rehousing arrangements depend on a number of factors including rarity of species, the number of specimens seized and availability of suitable zoos and other establishments, which can include captive breeding programmes in the case of highly endangered species.

The 99 seizures of live animal and bird species in 2003 contained a total 2,925 specimens from the following type or genus:

Animals Birds Fish, Clams and Amphibians
Boa African Grey parrot American bullfrog
Box turtle Amazon parrot Giant clam
Chameleon Cockatoo Seahorse
Dwarf chameleon Conure
Flat-tail gecko Hartlaub's turaco
Land tortoise
Python
Spiny-tailed lizard
Tegu lizard
Terrapin

Customs seizure powers in respect of CITES endangered species do not require evidence of the value, either of the purchase price abroad or potential value in the UK. The information sought on estimated values of seized endangered species is therefore not available.

Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 5 July (WA 68), how many of the seized imports:

  1. (a) were declared for export in the country of origin;
  2. (b) were brought in through ports;
  3. (c) were brought in through airports;
  4. (d) were seized in consignment loads;
  5. (e) were seized individually; and
  6. (f) were seized from persons known to have imported endangered species previously; and
[HL3713]

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 5 July (WA 68), what estimate they make of the proportion of the 411 seizures of imports of endangered species which were (a) destined for individual collections; and (b) to be sold on through pet shop outlets; and [HL3714]

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 5 July (WA 68), of the 15 seizures made of plant imports, how many were brought in for personal use; and how many for commercial purposes; and [HL3715]

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 5 July (WA 68), whether the 2,044 plant items seized were tested for disease; and how they were disposed of. [HL3716]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

Much of the detailed information sought is not available. HM Customs and Excise have no information on how many of the seizures were declared for export in the country of origin and do not require evidence of the intended destination or disposal in order to determine liability for seizure.

Of the 411 seizures made in 2003: 42 seizures related to imports through ports; 310 related to airports; 237 were in air or sea freight; 174 were from individuals; and 30 were from 12 individuals or companies from whom Customs seized endangered species on a previous occasion since central records began in 2000.

Smuggled plant items seized by Customs are taken to the Royal Botanic Gardens, who are the designated scientific authority to Defra, the United Kingdom management authority for CITES. These plants undergo quarantine and any that fail are destroyed under controlled conditions. Defra plant health inspectors will also monitor any seized plants which did not have appropriate certificates.

All plants considered to be highly endangered (ie on Annex A of EU Regulation 338/97) are retained by Kew for conservation purposes. Others are either retained by Kew or donated to other botanical institutions, zoos or wildlife parks. The plants are cared for and used in the best interests of conservation.