Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions ministers are having with non-governmental organisations ahead of the Hanoi Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade in November.

The UK has a strong record as a global leader in the fight against the illegal wildlfe trade, and remains committed to working with our international partners to bring an end to this scourge.

We have been leading ambitious international agreements in this area and are supporting Vietnam to host a third high level conference on 17 November which builds on theground-breaking London and Botswana Conferences in 2014 and 2015. Building on this we The Government have provided specific funding for the conference, and is providing ongoing advice and support through the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will attend the Conference, as will HRH Duke of Cambridge.

The Government is working closely with Vietnam to support a successful conference that secures high level attendance that will maintain political momentum. In particular we want to focus on encouraging countries, including Vietnam itself, to take concerted action on the commitments they have already made.

Officials, both in London and Hanoi, have been in regular contact with a range of NGOs concerning preparations for the Conference, and anticipate continuing to do so up to and at the Conference.

We are investing millions in projects around the world to tackle IWT on the ground. We have already committed £13 million to practical action around the world to reduce demand, strengthen enforcement and develop sustainable livelihoods for communities affected by IWT, primarily through Defra’s Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund.