§ John McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans the Government have to ban the trade in birds and animals taken from the wild except for scientific and conservation reasons. [97124]
§ Mr. MorleyWe have no current plans to ban the trade in all birds and animals taken from the wild. International trade in birds and animals is subject to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which is implemented within the EU under Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1808/1. All commercial trade in those species listed as endangered is prohibited, while the trade in the other less vulnerable species is strictly regulated to ensure that it will not be detrimental to their wild populations.
Last month we began a public consultation exercise outlining proposals to strengthen the existing domestic controls over wildlife trade. This included increasing the penalties for certain offences to up to five years imprisonment, and strengthening the relevant powers of police officers and wildlife inspectors. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, we intend to introduce revised provisions as soon as possible thereafter.
Within Great Britain the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 prohibits the possession or control of any live or dead wild bird or animal listed on Schedule 5 of the Act, or any part of or anything derived from such a bird or animal. A licence can be issued derogating from this protection. The penalty for taking an animal or bird illegally is a maximum of £5,000 and/or six months custodial sentence.