Sussex MP Norman Baker was today calling for tougher customs rules to crack down on animal smugglers.
The Liberal Democrat has secured a Westminster debate calling for action to protect endangered species.
Mr Baker, MP for Lewes, wants stiffer penalties for people who attempt to smuggle rare birds, animals and reptiles in to Britain.
Mr Baker is also urging countries across the globe to take greater responsibility for protecting the environment.
He said: "There can be no more dispiriting event than the extinction of a species. Once it is gone, it is gone forever.
"There is no greater indictment of the way we treat the land. We must take greater responsibility for our actions to prevent this from happening."
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