HC Deb 10 April 2002 vol 383 cc288-9W
Mr. Gardiner

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what response her Department has made to the report of Evan Bowen-Jones, David Brown and Elizabeth Robinson entitled "Bushmeat—a Pilot Study". [48149]

Mr. Meacher

Evan Bowen-Jones, David Brown and Elizabeth Robinson submitted their final report on the Government's research project, "Bushmeat—A Pilot Study", in January 2002. The report, entitled "Assessment of the Solution-orientated research needed to promote a more sustainable Bushmeat Trade in Central and West Africa", examines the trade in terms of institutions, policies, biodiversity and livelihoods and sets out principles for further action in promoting more sustainability.

The report is an extremely thorough and useful piece of work. Arrangements have been made for its publication on the Department's website and on the UK's Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) website, as well as on that of the Overseas Development Institute. We have drawn it to the attention of key stakeholders—including UNEP's Great Ape Survival Project—through the UK Tropical Forest Forum's Bushmeat Working Group, encouraging them to use it as the basis for further targeted work. We shall also be presenting it to the next meeting of the CITES Bushmeat Working Group later this year, to obtain the maximum engagement of African range states in identifying subsequent actions and taking them forward.

Mr. Gardiner

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what actions her Department proposes to tackle the trade in bushmeat; [48151]

(2) what plans she has to raise the subject of the trade in bushmeat internationally. [48150]

Mr. Morley

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 15 January 2002,Official Report,column 272.

We have also now published our Action Plan for combating the illegal trade in all meat and animal products, including those commonly referred to as "bushmeat". High priority actions include enhanced co-operation for effective inter-agency enforcement, strengthened intelligence to counter smuggling, increased powers to search for illicit produce and increased public awareness through more publicity.

The Action Plan has been placed in the Libraries of the House.