§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the export of starlings to France for the manufacture of pâté.
§ Mr. MacleanThe export of whole dead starlings in feather to France would need to be covered by an export permit issued by my Department under the provisions of the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976. While we treat each application on its individual merits, commercial trade would not normally be allowed since this might encourage the killing of these birds for profit rather than as pests.
The export of plucked birds is not controlled under the 1976 Act, and exports could take place without reference to my Department.