§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will support the proposal to upgrade the African lion to Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species at the next Conference of the Parties. [186274]
§ Mr. MorleyThere are very strict biological criteria that have to be met before a species can be listed on Appendix I of CITES and we also have to be satisfied that a trade ban is the most appropriate method for addressing this problem. Doubts have been expressed as to whether the proposal satisfies these very strict criteria and most of the range states are opposed to an Appendix I listing. The UK, recognising that some lion populations have declined, in common with the other ED member states, is currently keeping an open position and would like to explore the scope for an agreed solution with the range states before coming to a final decision on this matter.