Ministers from the world's leading industrial economies are drawing up measures to combat environmental crime.

The so-called G8 (group of the world's eight biggest economic powers) are meeting in Leeds Castle, Kent, south-east England, to consider environmental issues.

The UK's Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, promises to get tough on environmental crime (19")

Ministers were told on Saturday that the illegal trade in endangered species is worth about $5bn a year, making it second only to the international drugs trade.

The two-day conference has also been hearing that since CFC gases were banned, a black market has sprung up.

The UK's Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, said the conference would try to address the problems and recommendations are expected to be agreed on Sunday.

"The trade is phenomenal and we need to be tough on the catching, tough on the people who commit the crimes and tough on the people who buy these things," he said.

Protesters lobby ministers

Russia has also been coming under pressure at the talks to implement cuts in greenhouse gas emissions agreed by the world's most powerful nations.

The G8 nations agreed to cut gas emissions by 6% at Kyoto last year.

Under the Kyoto pact, Russia is not committed to any reductions in emissions until the year 2010.

The UK argues that the collapse of Russia's heavy industry should enable it to make major cuts in pollution.

The BBC's Environment Correspondent, Tim Hirsch, tells BBC News 24 that pressure will be placed on Russia and the US (3'26")

The United States is also coming under pressure to make greater cuts in emissions.

Demonstrators from Friends of the Earth, who lobbied ministers arriving for the talks on Saturday, said the US needed to do more.

Spokeswoman Anna Stanford said: "The real pressure needs to be put on the United States. There's enormous pressure within the Senate not even to ratify the very small targets that were agreed at Kyoto."

Talks are being held at Leeds Castle

The four European members of the G8 also want rules which will prevent the big polluters from buying their way out of their obligations.

The weekend gathering is unlikely to produce firm decisions but could be an important stage in the debate leading up to the next major conference on climate change in Buenos Aires in November.

The link between the environment and jobs is also on the agenda at the informal gathering.

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