§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of the budgets, staffing and general arrangements existing within his Department for the enforcement of all national and international codes in respect of the trade and commercial exploitation of wildlife; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyEnforcement is a matter for Customs and Excise or police as appropriate. This Department is responsible for the licensing of trade under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and EC regulation 3626/82 and issues guidance to licensing authorities administering the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 and Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.
There are 32 staff in the wildlife division of the Department concerned with these matters, not all of whom are engaged entirely on this work. They may be assisted, as required, by a panel of 90 fee-paid inspectors.
The cost of the full-time staff in some way involved in these matters for 1987–88 is estimated to be £578,553.