§ Mr. Frank Cookasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if Her Majesty's Government intend to permit future imports of products from the Cayman turtle farm.
§ Mr. WaldegraveApplications to import products of captive-bred turtles from the Cayman turtle farm will continue to be considered on their merits by my202W Department, in the light of scientific advice from the Nature Conservancy Council. Article VII of the convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora specifically allows imports of captive-bred specimens of species such as sea turtles, which are listed on appendix I of the convention.
The Cayman turtle farm has already had considerable success in breeding turtles in captivity, both for commercial purposes and to assist in the conservation of endangered wild turtles. The farm has not taken any turtles or eggs from the wild since 1978.
§ Mr. Frank Cookasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what quantity of turtle products have been imported into the United Kingdom from the Cayman turtle farm since 1 January 1984.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe Department's records show that the following turtle products have been imported into the United Kingdom from the Cayman turtle farm since 1 January 1984:
- 14 pieces of shell
- 8 shells
- 20 skins
- 36 scutes