To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what enforcement and reporting systems exist for worked ivory in the UK; what assessment he has made of the comprehensiveness and effectiveness of the system; and if he will make a statement. (162046)

Legal trade in ivory specimens is monitored and controlled in the UK through the issue of CITES (convention on international trade in endangered species) permits. Seizures of illegal ivory are reported to CITES through the Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS). Enforcement action against traders who are falsely claiming to trade under the derogation for antique worked items is a matter for the police. DEFRA officials work closely with the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), and in particular, the Metropolitan police to ensure that items of worked ivory are what they are claimed to be. Regular checks are also made on the internet to monitor and check sales of ivory.

The NWCU is currently preparing a comprehensive intelligence dossier on all wildlife crime which will be used by all police forces and my officials to target the worst areas of criminality.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what methods of registration and licensing exist for importers, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers dealing in (a) raw, (b) semi-worked and (c) worked ivory products, in accordance with the requirements of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Resolution Conf. 10.10 (Rev. CoP14) on domestic ivory trade controls; and if he will make a statement. (162047)

EU regulations implementing CITES include no legal powers to register importers, manufacturers, wholesalers or retailers. Instead we have a system which controls the trade (i.e. movement) of ivory specimens through the issue of CITES permits. Each application is considered on its own merits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to respond to the ivory trade questionnaire issued by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Secretariat in relation to the Action Plan for the control of trade in elephant ivory, pursuant to Decision 13.26 (Rev. CoP14) of CITES. (162048)

CITES is implemented in the UK through the EU wildlife trade regulations. EU member states have therefore agreed that a combined EU response will be prepared by the European Commission and agreed by member states in response to the CITES ivory trade questionnaire.