HC Deb 11 July 1989 vol 156 cc480-1W
Mr. Harris

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment under what powers he has imposed a unilateral ban on ivory imports.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The ban on ivory imports is based on article 10 1(b) of EC regulation 3626/82. We consider that the decline in African elephant populations is so serious that the conditions set out in that article for the issue of import permits cannot be met.

Mr. Harris

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the implications of the unilateral ban on ivory imports for the terms of the CITES convention which regulates and controls the legitimate trade in ivory.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Article XIV of the convention indicates that the provisions of the convention shall not affect the right of parties to adopt stricter domestic measures. The action that we have taken is entirely compatible with the provisions of the convention.