§ Mr. Hamlingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the ban on the import of parrot-like birds was lifted; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MackieThe ban was imposed originally because of the risk that parrot-like birds might bring fowl pest into the country but it was relaxed over the years to permit the importation under certain conditions of pet birds, birds for medical or veterinary research and birds for re-export. Long experience of this showed that in practice the birds were not a significant factor in the introduction or spread of disease in the country and the ban was therefore lifted.