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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to protect exotic butterflies; and what recent discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on that issue.

The UK Government is committed to working to help the conservation of biodiversity worldwide. The UK works closely with other countries to promote the conservation of the world's wildlife through our membership of international agreements such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and Convention on Migratory Species. A number of swallowtail butterflies are protected by CITES against unsustainable levels of international trade. We consult the Devolved Administrations on any species listing proposals tabled by international environmental agreements such as CITES.

The conservation of butterflies in Northern Ireland is a devolved issue. Defra has had no recent discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on this issue.