HC Deb 05 May 1993 vol 224 cc102-3W
Mr. Ancram

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what decision he has taken in relation to resuming imports of captive birds from Tanzania.

Mr. Soames

The issue of licences for import of captive birds from Tanzania was suspended in March 1991 because of the failure of the authorities there to respond to our request for a veterinary official of my Department to make a visit and discuss with them various animal health and welfare matters, the standard of health certification and the conditions under which future imports of captive birds would take place.

The Tanzanian veterinary authorities agreed to a visit from a senior MAFF veterinarian in July 1991. Following this visit a new protocol for the provision of animal health certification was subsequently drawn up. The main provision of the new protocol is that the director of veterinary services in Tanzania will be responsible for the production and issue of an official veterinary health certificate, which will be required for all birds entering Great Britain, regardless of their final destination.

I have now received assurances from the Tanzanian veterinary authorities that they will observe the new protocol on exports of all birds to Great Britain, regardless of their final destination. Arrangements are also in hand for verification of the certifying veterinarians.

In view of these assurances, I have agreed to the immediate resumption of the issue of licences for imports of captive birds from Tanzania.

We shall be monitoring closely at ports of entry any consignments of birds arriving from Tanzania in the coming months to ensure that the terms of the protocol have been met. The lifting of the moratorium will not affect the requirement for CITES export permits originating in Tanzania for bird species covered by the convention to be checked for validity by the CITES Secretariat in Lausanne before an import permit can be issued by the Department of the Environment.

We remain committed to securing reductions in the level of mortality in imported captive birds, both whilst in transit to this country and while in post-import quarantine. In addition, we will continue to take appropriate measures to ensure that the highest possible standards are complied with by those transporting birds and those responsible for their care after import.