§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will include basking sharks in the next tranche of species for the biodiversity action plans. [1156]
§ Mr. ClappisonNo. Basking sharks were not among the 286 species which the UK biodiversity steering group recommended should be included in the second tranche of species action plans to be produced within the next three years. The Government endorsed the steering group's recommendations in the response published in May 1996.
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§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will submit a proposal for an appendix 11 listing under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species for the protection of basking sharks, in time for the next CITES conference in June 1997; and if he will make a statement. [1157]
§ Mr. ClappisonWe have no plans to include such a proposal among the United Kingdom's initiatives for the next CITES conference.