Polar bears, elephants and Bluefin tuna, along with lesser known creatures such as the Red-eyed Tree frog, could benefit from a vote this week in the European Parliament.

Glenis Willmott, Labour MEP for the East Midlands, will be backing moves to provide greater protection for a number of endangered species.  The European Parliament will be voting to support a ban on international trade in endangered animals or their products, such as blue fin tuna and polar bears, and to maintain the existing ban on trade in African elephants.

Glenis said.  “Decisions on the future of a variety of plants and animals will be taken in March, when the conference of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) takes place in Doha.”

“The situation for some animals is well known, for example the threat of the illegal ivory trade on elephants.   But some dangers are growing.  For example, there has been a worrying growth of trade in polar bear specimens, while the Arctic sea ice on which they depend is reducing at an alarming rate due to global warming.  Meanwhile, stocks of bluefin tuna have been drastically reduced due to over-fishing.”

“And we mustn’t forget less well known species, on land and sea, which are also adversely affected by an ever changing world involving the loss of habitat, climate change and the over-exploitation of wild species.   The list includes species such as Red-eyed Tree frogs, Guatemalan spiny-tailed iguanas and Great Hammerhead sharks.   We owe it to future generations to do all that we can to ensure the greatest possible diversity of plants and animals on our planet.”

For further details 

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/briefing_page/67945-039-02-07-20100125BRI67944-08-02-2010-2010/default_p001c013_en.htm

9 February 2010