§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what checks on the import of live animals and birds will be available after 1992.
§ Mr. MacleanIt is intended that those from non-EC countries will be imported only via approved frontier inspection posts, for both animal health and welfare purposes. The European Commission has yet to make any proposals to the Council for animal health controls on intra-Community trade in live animals and birds after 1992. The Commission has submitted proposals on the protection of animals during transport but negotiations on these has yet to begin.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what figures are easily available regarding the importation of both pet birds and captive birds for 1988; and how many birds in each category(a) were dead on arrival and (b) died in quarantine.
§ Mr. MacleanFigures have been compiled for the numbers of commercially imported birds arriving at approved quarantine premises during 1988. These will be available very shortly and will include mortalities both on arrival and during the statutory quarantine period.