§ Mr. RandallTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about funding to continue HM Customs and Excise work to enforce legislation controlling wildlife trade; and what plans he has to expand this area of work. [41623]
§ Dawn PrimaroloHM Customs and Excise do not fund enforcement activity specifically in this area. Frontline anti-smugglers, investigation and intelligence staff tackle a wide range of prohibited and restricted goods, both at import and export, including species covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES). The detection of commercial smuggling of endangered species, and goods derived from them, is a priority for Customs, and this will continue to be so.
There are no plans to expand Customs activity in this area of work.