§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to discourage the importation for sale of red-eared terrapins as domestic pets.
§ Mr. BaldryAt present, there are no conservation reasons for restricting the importation of red-eared terrapins, because there is no evidence that they are endangered, or are becoming endangered in the wild. We are, however, currently discussing with our European partners a new EC regulation to replace regulation 3626/82, which implements the convention on international trade in endangered species (CITES) within the European Community; and we shall ensure that the question whether red-eared terrapins should be brought within the control of this regulation is given careful consideration.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what evidence he has received regarding ecological damage caused by red-eared terrapins, formerly domestic pets, which have been released into the wild.
§ Mr. BaldryI am not aware of any evidence of ecological damage caused by red-eared terrapins being released into the wild in Britain.