30 October 2018

I was pleased to continue my longstanding interest of conservation and tackling the illegal wildlife trade by speaking at Foreign and Commonwealth Questions earlier today asking what steps the Government are taking with international partners to tackle the illegal wildlife trade.

To see the full question that I raised, and the Minister’s response, please see the video and full text below.

 

George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con)

9. What steps the Government are taking with international partners to tackle the illegal wildlife trade.

George Freeman

I congratulate and thank the Ministers for what they are doing to tackle this appalling trade. Does he agree that one of the most important aspects of tackling it is to create mutual economic interest for local tribespeople and farmers to support wildlife? Does he support the work of the excellent Laikipia Wildlife Forum in Kenya, which was set up by the great British conservationist Dr Anthony King?

Mark Field

I thank my hon. Friend for his comments. A Chatham House study presented at the London conference on transboundary green corridors supported the view that the creation of jobs and local prosperity partnerships can indeed help to protect endangered species. That is why we secured an uplift of some £6 million for the IWT challenge fund, and why DFID is committed to further such work to address these issues.