HL Deb 14 October 1976 vol 375 cc639-40WA
Lord CRAIGTON

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many live animals of what species were imported by the Government for research purposes in the last year for which figures are available, and whether Government establishments are required to obtain endangered species licences from the Department of the Environment.

Baroness BIRK

I regret that the figures are not available. However, Ministry of Agriculture records show that the numbers of live mammals imported to Great Britain during 1975 by research establishments generally were:—

Primates 10,716
Rats 23,309
Mice 9,282
Others 605
Total 43,912
Government establishments are required to obtain licences from my Department to import endangered species of animals.