§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to meet representatives from the national Institute of Medical Herbalists to discuss the use of rare plants in herbal medicine and commercial cultivation projects; and if he will make a statement. [2702]
§ Ms Angela EagleThe United Kingdom is to present a paper on traditional medicines to the Conference of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), currently taking place in Harare. The aim of the paper is not to question the importance of traditional medicine as a legitimate form of medicinal treatment, but to encourage the search for ways in which its use can continue without threatening species in the wild with extinction. At present we have no immediate plans to meet the National Institute of Medicinal Herbalists, but have consulted relevant UK organisations, including representatives of the herbal medicine sector. We have also received the support of Japan and the Republic of Korea.