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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 December 2016 to Question 55450, if she will publish the reasons why the Animal and Plant Health Agency refused to grant import permits in those cases; and if she will make a statement.

Further to PQ 55450, the reasons for refusal to grant import permits are as follows:

9 applications were refused because APHA asked for additional information regarding the specimens. As there was no response from applicant the applications were closed and refused.

2 applications were refused because of irregularities surrounding the weight of the specimens (tusks).

1 application was withdrawn and therefore formally refused.

1 application refused as a permit was not required for the requested activity. Personal effects derogation applied.

7 applications refused because imports to the EU of ivory from the source specified in the application is prohibited.

20 applications refused because they were retrospective.

1 application refused as APHA could not be satisfied the specimen was pre-convention.