To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the potential cost to businesses of the introduction of the new charging systems for licences under the International Convention on Trade in Endangered Species. (244557)

[holding answer 16 December 2008]: An impact assessment of the new charging regime, which includes an assessment of the potential effect on businesses, has been published and is available on the DEFRA website. The impact assessment was informed by independent research.