§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to raise the subject of the trade in bushmeat at the Johannesburg World Summit. [48156]
§ Mr. MeacherI have been asked to reply.
The Government's work to tackle the trade in bushmeat is primarily channelled through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD). We have funded research to analyse knowledge on the bushmeat trade, highlight gaps in data and understanding, and recommend further action. The Government support a number of initiatives with links to bushmeat, such as the UK Bushmeat Working Group.
Although the UK Government have not planned to raise the specific subject of trade in bushmeat at WSSD, this issue has links with the Johannesburg agenda. The Government's priorities for the summit include poverty eradication and sustainable livelihoods. Action in these areas will address the diverse underlying causes of bushmeat trade.