HC Deb 18 April 1995 vol 258 cc28-9W
Mr. Stern

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 8 March,Official Report, columns 187–88, (1) how many applications his Department has received to import specimens of Stellar's sea eagle since the licence referred to was granted; how many birds were involved and from where they originated; [19230]

(2) how many Stellar's sea eagles (a) have been imported or (b) have been authorised to be imported to any other EU countries; [19231]

(3) if the imported Stellar's sea eagle was intended for a bird zoo; and what were the conservation reasons for the import; [19232]

(4) what is the application of EC regulation 3626/82 to the import of Stellar's sea eagles. [19233]

Sir Paul Beresford

EC regulation 3626/82 implements the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora throughout the European Union. For some species it also introduces stricter controls on import, export and sale than those contained in CITES. The Stellar's sea eagle is listed in appendix II of CITES which means that commercial trade would normally be allowed. However, the EC regulation provides that, within the EU, the species should be treated as if listed in appendix I, and commercial trade is effectively banned. Sale of the species within the EU would also need to be covered by a sales exemption issued by my Department.

The permit allowing the import of two birds was issued to an organisation which is licensed under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981. The birds are intended for use in a captive breeding programme, and strict conditions were applied to the permit to ensure that the birds are used for this purpose.

No further applications to import Stellar's sea eagles have been received since the above permit was granted. The European Commission has not yet published records of imports into other EU states during the past two years.