Nature Conservation: Trade

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what mechanisms are in place to ensure that police are trained to enforce EC regulations 338/97 and 865/2006 on the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in respect of the requirement for Article 10 certificates, with particular reference to endangered primates. (300311)

The police service is primarily responsible for training its officers in those areas where it has enforcement responsibility.

In addition, members of the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) provide assistance and support in this specialist area of enforcement, including training opportunities. Members of PAW include the UK Border Agency and the UK’s Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Scientific Authorities.

Animal Health (an Executive agency of DEFRA) also provides advice and information on CITES to police officers on request.