PROTECTION FOR POLAR BEARS

Early day motion 682, tabled 21 January 2010 by Paddy Tipping (Labour). Signed by 221 members.

That this House notes that the survival of the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is threatened by climate change as well as the commercial trade in polar bear products, such as fur skins; further notes that the United States has submitted a proposal to list the polar bear on Appendix I of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES); further notes that the polar bear satisfies the biological and trade criteria for inclusion in Appendix I; further notes that this listing is essential to ensure that commercial trade does not compound the threats posed to this species by loss of habitat; and urgently calls on the Government to support the US proposal to transfer the polar bear to CITES Appendix I.

Signatures by party: Labour 131, Liberal Democrat 46, Conservative 30, DUP 4, Scottish National Party 3, Independent 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Independent Labour 1, Respect 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.