Senator Woodley asked the Minister for the Environment, upon notice, on 7 May 1996:

(1) Is the government planning to maintain a ban on the export of live native animals.

(2) How many applications or proposals have been made to the department in 1996 for new export trades in native wildlife.

(3) What species were involved in each of those applications, and which of these proposals involve exporting live animals.

Senator Hill —The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

(1) There are no proposals to alter present export controls on live native animals currently before the government.

(2) Four applications or proposals for new export trades in native wildlife have been received in 1996.

(3) The species involved in these proposals are as follows:

(i) Lampona cylindrata (white tailed spider) venom

(ii) Beachwashed sponges and corals

(iii) Marphysa sanguinea (bloodworms)

(iv) Foliage from Blechnum nudum (Fish-bone fern), Lomatia tinctoria (Guitar plant), Nothofagus cunninghamii (Myrtle), Polystichum proliferum (Mother shield fern), Xanthorrhoea australis (Grass tree) and flowering stems (after seed drop) from Gahnia radula (Cutting grass) all harvested in Tasmania.

The proposal for the export of Marphysa sanguinea may involve exporting live animals.