HC Deb 22 December 1988 vol 144 c440W
Mr. Cryer

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the issue of licences for the importation of parrots and parrot-like birds and the number of licences granted during each month in 1988 to the most recent practicable date.

Mr. Donald Thompson

Under the Importation of Birds Poultry and Hatching Eggs Order 1979, my Ministry issues licences for the importation of parrots and parrot-like birds, subject to conditions designed to safeguard this country against the introduction of animal diseases such as Newcastle disease. These conditions include a requirement for a period of post-import quarantine. The number of licences issued during 1988 is:

Number
January 121
February 91
March 85
April 75
May 97
June 118
July 109
August 92
September 77
October 104
November 96
December1 43
Total 1,108
1 Up to 20th.