§ Lord Redesdaleasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether there is an equivalent in EU legislation to the Lacey Act in the United States which prohibits the importation of animals and plants which have been killed or procured illegally in the exporting country.
Earl Ferrers:The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (the Washington Convention) requires exporting countries to be satisfied that plants or animals to which the convention applies have been lawfully acquired before export permits are issued. The EC regulation which implements the convention within the Community enables member states to refuse to issue import permits if they are not satisfied that the convention's requirements have been met.