To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether bearskin caps used by the British Army are sourced from bears killed specifically for the purpose of supplying the British Army. [153298]

To our knowledge, no pelts for use by the Guards have come from bears killed specifically for the purpose of supplying the British Army.

Since 2001 it has been MOD policy to refurbish rather than replace bearskin caps, wherever possible. As a result no pelts have been purchased in recent years by the contractors who make the caps for the Department. Previously, when pelts have been purchased, they have been bought from regulated fur traders operating under the jurisdiction of the Canadian authorities.