Oral Answers to Questions

Anne-Marie Trevelyan Excerpts

Tuesday 20th February 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Alister Jack (Dumfries and Galloway) (Con)]

4. What steps his Department is taking to tackle the illegal wildlife trade.

[Mrs Anne-Marie Trevelyan (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (Con)]

13. What steps his Department is taking to tackle the illegal wildlife trade.

[The Secretary of State for Commonwealth and Foreign Affairs (Boris Johnson)]

The United Kingdom will host an ambitious, high-level illegal wildlife trade conference in London in October this year. I believe that the ambition to crack down on the illegal wildlife trade is shared by the entire British people.

--- Later in debate ---

[Boris Johnson]

As my hon. Friend will know, we are nearing the conclusion of a consultation about a total ban on ivory, which I think many people in the House and in the country would agree is devoutly to be wished for. We will see where we get to, but I think my hon. Friend can count on us once again to be in the lead, and I believe that the October summit will produce some very substantive conclusions on saving elephants.

[Mrs Trevelyan]

During his recent trip to south-east Asia, what discussions did my right hon. Friend have with palm oil-producing countries about the illegal wildlife trade and deforestation?

[Boris Johnson]

I am acutely aware of the problems caused by palm oil cultivation. We are in urgent dialogue with our partners to discourage them from deforestation and the consequent loss of species.