§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his answer to the hon. Member for Essex, South-East on 16th December covers the import of tortoises from areas where this species is known to be in danger of extinction; whether he has estimates of the numbers of such animals who die in transit or are ill-treated on arrival; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the trade in such animals.
§ Mr. Denis HowellTortoises imported into the United Kingdom for the pet trade are included in Appendix 2 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. While licences are required for these imports, such licences are freely available where the exporting country has confirmed that the export will not be detrimental to the survival of the species.420W This trade was discussed at a recent meeting of the Scientific Authority for Animals, which is watching the position closely. The treatment of tortoises in transit is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I understand that the welfare of these species in transit is protected under the provisions of the Transit of Animals (General) Order 1973 but that the figures requested are not available.