 |
answer text |
<p>The London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade, which the Government hosted
on 12-13 February, brought together 42 countries, including four Presidents of African
states, to discuss the decline in numbers of elephants, rhino and other species affected
by the scourge of the illegal trade in wildlife. Conference participants agreed an
ambitious political declaration, containing 25 practical commitments to action that
will help to eradicate the demand for wildlife products, strengthen law enforcement
and support the development of sustainable livelihoods for communities affected by
wildlife crime.</p><p>Prior to the Conference, my colleague Lord de Mauley represented
the UK Government at the African Elephant Summit in Botswana on 2 to 4 December 2014.
This was attended by numerous government ministers from across Africa and the status
of the African elephant at a continental level was discussed. During the summit, Lord
de Mauley held bilateral discussions on illegal wildlife trade issues with the President
of Botswana. Separately, he met with the South African Minister of Water and Environmental
Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa, to discuss the crisis facing African wildlife affected by
poaching and illegal trade. The Secretary of State, Owen Paterson, also had discussions
about the effects of the illegal wildlife trade on numbers of key species with the
Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources, Professor Judy Wakhungu,
during a visit to Kenya in November 2013.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
|
|
