§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the European Commission concerning the birds directive's provisions for avian pest species.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThere have been many meetings with the Commission in recent years, at both ministerial and official level, at which ways of accommodating pest control practices within the directive's protective framework for birds and their habitats have been discussed.
§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he intends to put to the European Community for a control scheme for avian pest species following his decision not to amend the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryOnly the European Commission may submit proposals to the Council for amending Community law. In the Government's view, however, there is a case for amending the EC birds directive so that where member states can show that control of avian pest species is necessary and would not endanger the survival of those species, they may authorise appropriate measures without having to operate unnecessary bureaucratic procedures. The Commission is aware of the Government's views.