HC Deb 26 July 1989 vol 157 c776W
33. Mr. Harris

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he gave to the position of the legitimate ivory trade in imposing a unilateral ban on ivory imports.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

We recognised that the ban would affect the legitimate ivory trade, but this was outweighed by the need for immediate action to protect the African elephant pending decisions on a long-term strategy for its future survival.