Mark backs animal welfare campaign

11.13.50am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 23rd Aug 2006

Mark is backing IFAW's campaign

Cheadle MP Mark Hunter has joined the campaign to protect rare wildlife being used to make souvenirs for tourists.

The campaign called Think Twice - organised by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) - aims to reduce the demand for wildlife souvenirs by raising public awareness of the problems the trade causes to endangered species and animal welfare.

Mark has signed IFAW's official pledge card and is now attempting to raise awareness amongst local people in Cheadle about the threat posed by the manufacture of these types of goods.

Signing up in support of the campaign, Mark said, "While people are on holiday, they might well see souvenirs for sale that are made from endangered animals and plants such as reptile skin, ivory and corals. The cost to natural habitats of producing these goods are devastating and is not something I know the vast majority of people want to contribute to."

"But it's not just the environmental cost of this trade that concerns me. Tourists may encounter major problems at customs when they return to Britain if they have some of these products in their luggage."