HL Deb 07 March 1989 vol 504 cc1470-2WA
Lord Chelwood

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What co-operation there is with countries including China. Hong Kong and North Yemen in efforts to prevent illegal imports of rhinoceros horn and ivory, with what success this has met, what hope they see of preventing the present large scale evasions and what is their estimate of the sterling value of this trade.

The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Lord Young of Graffham)

Her Majesty's Government fully recognise the importance of combating illegal trade in rhinoceros horn and ivory. They are fully committed to the principles established in the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and do all they can to combat international trafficking by rigorously enforcing the convention along with other member states of the Community. And they have supported the adoption of fresh controls proposed by the CITES secretariat. UK Government enforces rules rigorously as far as importation to UK is concerned but is not in a position to influence or estimate illicit trade in the countries mentioned. It is impossible to assess the likely level of illicit trade in the countries mentioned.