§ Mr. GaleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what action he intends to take, following the advice of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, to reduce the number of ports of entry through which live animals and birds may enter the United Kingdom;
(2) what action he intends to take in the light of recent advice from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee to introduce a levy on the import of wild birds and animals.
§ Mr. BaldryThe Joint Nature Conservation Committee's report on the wildlife trade makes a number of wide-ranging recommendations, including those concerning a levy and further restrictions on ports of entry. Because these are not issues which affect the United Kingdom alone, we have drawn the report to the attention of the European Commission and urged it to propose stricter controls throughout the European Community. We expect the Commission to publish proposals for a new regulation on the wildlife trade very soon. In subsequent discussions we shall take full account of the committee's advice.