asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he will take to press for the listing of tree species endangered by commercial logging and all other non-sustainable developments under the convention of international trade and endangered species in order to regulate, and, if necessary, ban, the trade in threatened species.
Trade in timber from a number of endangered species of trees is already controlled under the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). My scientific advisers on this matter, the Royal Botanic Gardens, are considering whether further species should be added but at present have insufficient evidence for the United Kingdom to submit proposals to the conference of the CITES parties in July. They are continuing their work and if the evidence so warrants, proposals will be prepared for the next conference in 1989.