BUSHMEAT AND SIMIAN FOAMING VIRUS

Early day motion 123, tabled 17 May 2005 by James Paice (Conservative). Signed by 79 members.

That this House notes with concern the growing demand for illegal bushmeat and the discovery of simian foaming virus in humans who have eaten infected ape flesh; recognises that the same practice of eating infected monkeys is understood to have allowed simian immunodeficiency viruses to leap species and mutate into HIV; warns the Government that failure to act against illegal imports of bushmeat could have devastating consequences for human and animal health, and the survival of threatened species in the wild; and calls on the Government to take action against those involved in the illegal bushmeat trade and immediately to commence trials of new technology to prevent illegal bushmeat entering the UK.

Signatures by party: Conservative 59, Liberal Democrat 8, Labour 7, DUP 2, Plaid Cymru 2, UUP 1.