Birds of Prey

HC Deb 10 January 1995 vol 252 cc97-8W

Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has consulted the National Council for Aviculture on the setting up of a DNA register for birds of prey; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Paul Beresford

The Department has not undertaken any specific consultations on the setting up of a DNA register for birds of prey. However, I explained in reply to the question from the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson) on 20 December,Official Report, columns 1115–1116, that the Department has established a working group to review the enforcement of wildlife controls. The future role of genetic testing in relation to the bird registration system is one of the issues being considered by this working group, on which the National Council for Aviculture is represented. I shall be making a further announcement about the use of DNA in the near future.