§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to support the listing of threatened tropical timber species under the proposed revision of the European Community regulation relating to the implementation of the convention on international trade in endangered species, flora and forna; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanThose species of tropical timber which are listed on CITES are already controlled under EC regulations implementing the convention in the Community. We shall seek to ensure that these species are given at least the same level of protection in the new regulation. We shall also support the inclusion of further tropical timber species whenever this is justified by the application of sound scientific criteria relating to their conservation status.
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§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to secure that all timber species are included within annex D of the new EC regulation on the trade in wild plants and animals.
§ Mr. MacleanWe support the European Commission's proposal to list timber species already protected under CITES in annexes A, B and C of the new regulation. We are also prepared to support the listing of further species in these annexes or in annex D if they meet relevant scientific criteria.