Shark Fins Act: Royal Assent

Monday 3rd July 2023 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Dr Thérèse Coffey)]

I am repeating the statement made today by my noble friend the Minister, Lord Benyon.

On Thursday 29 June the Shark Fins Act received Royal Assent, banning the import and export of detached shark fins, including all products containing shark fins such as tinned shark fin soup. The Act extends to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

This Act goes further than existing protections by preventing the trade of detached shark fins and related products obtained using this method.

Many species of shark now face significant population pressures. Out of approximately 500 species of shark, 143 are listed as “under threat” under the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with different species ranging from “vulnerable” to “critically endangered”.

Demand for shark fin products and subsequent overfishing is a significant driver for these pressures. The Act will help protect sharks and reduce the unsustainable overfishing of sharks.

This Act is a significant step in demonstrating the UK’s global leadership in shark conservation, in protecting our natural environment, and in continuing to deliver on our “Action Plan for Animal Welfare”.

The Government are proud of their extensive record on animal welfare. This Bill follows several others in protecting animal welfare, both at home and abroad. Some examples include:

The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021.

The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022.

The Animals (Penalty Notices) Act 2022.

The Ivory Act 2018, came into force in 2022 and extended to further species this year.

Measures to crack down on hare coursing in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.

Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022.

[HCWS907]