To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have with the governments of other European Union member states for initiatives to assist in preserving elephant herds in Africa. [HL1510]

The UK works with other countries, including EU member states, to conserve endangered species such as the African elephant, through membership of multilateral environmental agreements, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

We will be discussing many issues with member states in the lead up to and at the next CITES conference in March. These include progress on the implementation of an action plan for the control of trade in elephant ivory, and the African Elephant Fund which was set up to help support its implementation.