HC Deb 06 March 1989 vol 148 cc427-8W
Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Government intend to support an indefinite extension of EEC directive 85/444 banning the importation of the skins of bluebacked and whitecoated seal pups and products derived there from.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Ms. Walley) on 15 February 1989 at column281.

Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will investigate allegations that blueback and whitecoat seal skins have been illegally imported into the United Kingdom in contravention of EEC directive 85/444.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Enforcement of the prohibition on commercial importation into the United Kingdom of harp and hooded seal pup skins and products stemming from directive 85/444 (EEC), is the responsibility of Customs and Excise. It has no evidence to support allegations of illegal importation, but would be prepared to consider any such evidence made available to it. No licences have been issued for imports into the United Kingdom that were contrary to the ban.