§ Norman BakerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what percentage and how many seizures by 255W HM Customs of illegal wildlife items under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species System resulted in successful prosecution in each year since 1997; [48003]
(2) what the financial value is of illegal wildlife items seized by HM Customs under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species System in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement; [48005]
(3) what plans he has to increase the maximum sentence for import of wildlife items under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species System; and if he will make a statement; [48004]
(4) how many successful prosecutions have been brought under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species System in each year since 1997. [48002]
§ Mr. BoatengHM Customs and Excise is responsible for enforcement of the restrictions on import and export from or to countries outside the European Union on goods covered by the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species and EU regulations made to implement the Convention. It is not responsible for the enforcement of controls on trade within the UK or European Union. Maximum penalties for illegal import or export are seven years imprisonment and an unlimited fine. There are no plans to increase these penalties.
Details of the number of seizures in each year since 1997 and the number of successful prosecutions are:
Calendar year Number of seizures Persons successfully prosecuted 1997 495 None 1998 498 None 1999 336 None 2000 441 1 2001 434 2 20021 2— 3 1To date 2Not available The financial value of illegal wildlife items seized is not recorded since there is no legal trade in prohibited goods to provide a basis for valuation.