The UK is a major consumer of wildlife products, some of which are brought into the country illegally. Here are some simple steps you can take to reduce your impact.

When shopping

• Only buy wood and wood products that are certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), especially if you buy hardwood products such as mahogany. Look for the FSC "tick-tree" symbol: it's proof that the product in question has come from forests that are environmentally, socially and economically well-managed. B&Q, The Body Shop, Boots the Chemist, Sainsbury's, Homebase, Jewsons, Travis Perkins and many other stores all stock FSC-certified products.
• Write to your local council, asking it to buy its timber only from FSC sources.
• If you are buying exotic pets, check with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), or the Countryside and Natural Heritage section of the Scottish Executive, to see if you require a special licence. If the pet has been imported, ask about the country of origin and if it was captive-bred. Responsible pet shop owners will be able to give you information about where the animal came from, how it was imported and who supplied it.
• Buying caviar may seem beyond the means of most people, but its illegal trade is driving some species of sturgeon towards commercial extinction. If you are offered or are buying caviar, look for a label detailing what stock and country is comes from. If it doesn't have one - don't buy it!

On holiday
The survival of endangered species can be threatened when they are sold as tourist souvenirs. In 2006, customs officers in the UK seized over 163,000 illegal wildlife items coming into the UK from both smugglers and returning holiday-makers.

There are many wildlife products completely banned from import into the UK, while others require a permit. Find out more.(PDF file)

The following is the top ten of wildlife products illegally imported into the UK by tourists, based on the number of HM Customs seizures in UK ports and airports between 2006 and 2007.

*Trade is controlled and regulated in these species and goods require special permits. This helps the authorities monitor the scale of the trade and to ensure it does not threaten the species' survival in the wild. Failure to present permits will result in confiscation of the item and could lead to a fine and prosecution.