HL Deb 18 April 1983 vol 441 cc469-70WA
Lord Melchett

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have investigated the dangers of other state groupings acceding to the Convention for Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), whether they agree that if the EEC sets a precedent and accedes to the convention this will lead to CITES being devalued as an effective convention, and whether they will make a statement.

Lord Skelmersdale

It is appropriate for the convention to apply to the organisations responsible for the trade with which it is concerned.

Lord Melchett

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in the light of the then Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary's assurance in a letter to non-governmental organisations that "should major new initiatives in the environment field arise, we would expect, as in the past, to have extensive consultations with environmental experts and interested bodies", they will list those organisations and experts in the United Kingdom who were consulted over the proposed amendment of CITES to allow for EEC accession, and indicate which bodies and individuals were in agreement with the proposal.

Lord Skelmersdale

The European Community's accession to the convention is being negotiated in accordance with a decision by the Council of Ministers on 14th March 1977. Parliament scrutinised the proposed decision in the usual way and environmental organisations were aware of it.