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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of banning the import of polar bear trophies into the UK.

The Government takes the conservation of species seriously.

Polar bears are one of the six species that are protected by stricter import controls at EU level. An import permit will only be issued if no detrimental impact on the survival of the species is demonstrated and the item has been obtained from a legal and sustainable hunting operation. Internationally, we are working hard to make sure hunting does not jeopardise the survival of the species.

We are looking carefully at the issue and have previously commissioned research by Professor McDonald on trophy hunting in relation to lion conservation. Lessons from that research can be applied to other species, including polar bears. We also plan to hold a roundtable discussion with organisations from all sides of the debate in order to gain a better understanding of the issues as well as consider further scientific advice.