Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the use of Official Development Assistance to help communities in developing countries protect endangered species.

Protecting biodiversity is a priority for this Government and I regularly hold discussions with Ministers on climate and environment issues, including protecting endangered species.

The government recently committed another £220 million to a new International Biodiversity Fund. This will fund a range of different activities including support to communities to help them protect endangered species and to benefit from their wildlife, for example through tourism.

UK Aid is also training rangers, border force agents and prosecutors, campaigning to reduce the demand for products in key markets, and supporting legislative reform to increase conviction rates and penalties for wildlife crime.