HC Deb 06 November 2002 vol 392 c348W
Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to discourage the international trade in bear bile. [79045]

Mr. Morley

The CITES Convention imposes strict controls on trade in bears and bear parts but does allow trade in captive bred species. Because of our concerns that this trade could lead to abuses in respect of bear bile, from last year, the UK bannedall commercial trade in bear (Ursidae) bile or gall bladders (irrespective of whether or not they come from captive bred specimens), on the grounds that this trade is likely to be detrimental to the species.

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