§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what records his Department keeps of(a) the importers and (b) the retailers dealing in exotic animals as domestic pets.
§ Mr. Trippier[holding answer 10 May 1991]: My Department maintains a record of all applications to import species controlled under the provisions of the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976 and EC regulation 3626/82, which implements the convention on international trade in endangered species—CITES—in the European Community. We do not, however, maintain a register of retailers as such.
§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many flying foxes, of what species, have been imported into the United Kingdom in the past five years; and whether he will list the most regular exporting countries.
§ Mr. Trippier[holding answer 10 May 1991]: Since 1 January 1986, a total of 160 specimens of the Indian flying fox—Pteropus giganteus—have been imported, from Indonesia. Licences have also been issued for the import of 44 specimens of the Rodriguez flying fox—Pteropus rodricensis—from Mauritius and 20 specimens of the Malayan flying fox—Pteropus vampyrus—from Thailand.