Albatrosses and Petrels (Hansard, 19 December 2003)

§ Mr. Whittingdale
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects the Government to ratify the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels; and if she will make a statement. [141072]

§ Mr. Morley
The Government are working hard to ratify the Agreement and will do so as soon as possible. With South Africa"s ratification in November, the Agreement has the five range states needed to allow it to enter into force. This will happen on 1 February 2004.

§ Mr. Whittingdale
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which countries have so far ratified the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels. [141073]

§ Mr. Morley
Australia, New Zealand, Ecuador, Spain and South Africa have now ratified the Agreement.
The UK intends to do so as soon as possible.