§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ban the import and sale of the giant American bull frog; and if he will make a statement. [44300]
§ Angela EagleThe EC Wildlife Trade Regulation (Council Regulation 338/97), which implements the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species374W of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) within the European Union, contains provisions for the suspension of imports of species on the grounds that they pose an ecological threat to European wildlife. On 15 December 1997, imports into the EU of Rana catesbeiana (American bull frog) were suspended on these grounds. The sale of specimens already legally within the EU are not affected by this ban.