To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress is expected (a) in Africa and (b) generally following the recent CITES Conference of the Parties in Bangkok.

The 16th Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is currently ongoing. Until the outcomes of the conference are known, it is not possible to say what progress will come about as a result in Africa or more generally. However, the UK is working towards the agreement of measures that will secure better protection for species subject to unsustainable levels of trade, and tackle the crisis in poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking. Such action will help conserve endangered species in Africa and throughout the world.