PRESERVATION OF ORANG-UTANS AND THEIR HABITATS

Early day motion 1621, tabled 9 February 2006 by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative). Signed by 84 members.

That this House notes the distressing plight of the orang-utan in Borneo whose numbers are so disturbingly low as to make their extinction a possibility within 12 years; further notes the effects of mass deforestation for logging and palm-oil plantations, illegal hunting, the notorious pet trade and forest fires as grave threats to this primate's existence; acknowledges the outstanding efforts of the World Wildlife Fund in attempting to save this intelligent species from extinction through education of the public and creating sanctuaries for orang-utans; urges supermarkets and other suppliers to act responsibly when considering the purchase of palm-oil-based products from areas that have been deforested; and calls on the Government to do everything possible to support the preservation of the orang-utan's natural habitat and safety so that these magnificent creatures may continue to thrive and survive.

Signatures by party: Labour 44, Liberal Democrat 20, Conservative 12, DUP 6, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2.