§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Environment why the international trade in the products of whales requires control of whalebone only if unworked or simply prepared, and not if cut to shape or otherwise decorated; from what international conservationist usage the wording is derived; and why the wording is identical to that of paragraph 05.09 of the trade-based customs tariff.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976 reflects the provisions of the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The Convention requires controls 199W to be imposed on the readily recognisable parts and derivatives of endangered species. Whalebone is considered to be readily recognisable only when it is un-worked or simply prepared. Controls are framed to correspond, where possible, with the appropriate customs tariff heading, in order to assist effective enforcement.