§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information his Department keeps on the importation of rana heterodactyla and rana tigrina; if he will give figures on the countries of origin; and if any conditions are imposed by United Kingdom authorities in the methods of slaughter.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI assume the hon. Member is referring to rana hexadactyla and rana tigerina. International trade in these species has been monitored since 1 August 1985 under the terms of the convention on international trade on endangered species and statistics of imports from non-EC countries have since then been maintained by my Department.
From 1 August 1985 to date, 3,629 kg of rana hexadactyla legs and 200 kg of rana hexadactyla meat have been imported from India. There have been no imports of rana tigerina.
No conditions relating to methods of slaughter are attached to import permits, which are imposed for conservation reasons. There is, however, an internationally recognised code of practice relating to the processing of frogs legs to which, I understand, the Indian Government subscribe.