To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to monitor the level of exports of hedgehogs to the United States and Canada and elsewhere; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply. Under the provisions of the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976, anyone wishing to export hedgehogs requires an export permit from my Department. In the last three years three such permits have been issued, authorising the export of eight live hedgehogs to zoos in the United States.