§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Food and Rural Affairs what the level of her Department's funding for Horticulture Research International was in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [74661]
§ Mr. MorleyDefra funding at Horticulture Research International (HRI) relates to specifically commissioned R&D projects and work won by HRI through our R&D competitions. We have also given HRI grants for capital and other purposes. A summary of the total funding provided by Defra (and, prior to 2001–02, MAFF) in each of the last five years is given in the table. I also refer the hon. Member to the reply given in relation to question 192.
Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations (1997) the illegal, commercial use of ivory within the UK can lead to an unlimited fine and/or up to two years imprisonment.
The UK has also provided £60,000 towards the Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS) which provides information on the worldwide illegal trade in ivory. ETIS has just produced a detailed report which will be considered at the twelfth Conference of CITES Parties (CoP12), in Chile, next month, when the issue of whether to allow the resumption of trade in ivory from five southern African states will be discussed. The UK will not support any proposal which seems likely to undermine the conservation of the elephant, or lead to an increase in the illegal killing of elephants.
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