Elephant Poaching Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Baroness Sharples
Main Page: Baroness Sharples (Conservative - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Baroness Sharples's debates with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(12 years, 5 months ago)
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Lord Taylor of Holbeach
I think that I have already mentioned the commitment of my colleague, Mr Richard Benyon, and the high priority that this is being given. As noble Lords will know, the border agency is responsible for seizing these products and identifying them, and it operates, of course, on intelligence, which is most important. In many ways ivory has presented the least numerical challenge compared with many others in the CITES area. However, I agree that it is by demonstrating our own vigour that we present a confident position to our colleagues.
Baroness Sharples
Can my noble friend say whether the ivory is poached for so-called medicinal purposes?
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
It is believed that some is for medicinal purposes, but the majority is for ornamentation.