§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the results of his visits to the veterinary investigation centre at Reading to consider welfare problems of imported birds.
§ Mr. BaldryI visited the centre on 10 June. The visit was useful and informative, and will assist us in considering how best to deal with the problem of high mortalities in imported wild birds. The conservation implications of such mortalities will be one of the issues covered in the study of the wildlife trade by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, which I announced in response to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Epping Forest (Mr. Norris) on 9 May 1991,Official Report, columns. 550–51. Primary responsibility for the welfare of wild birds in transit and quarantine rests with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.