§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the number of imported birds which died during the period of quarantine and which were subsequently analysed by the veterinary investigations service for each year since 1987.
§ Mr. MacleanThe number of captive birds dying in quarantine or in transit and subsequently submitted to veterinary investigation centres for examination were as follows:
Number 1987 4,268 1988 3,791 11989–90 9,073 11990–91 8,146 1 April-March years. Source: Veterinary Investigation Service.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will indicate the most common causes of death to imported wild birds(a) during transit and (b) during the 35-day quarantine period.
§ Mr. MacleanThe most common cause of death in imported captive birds is considered to be stress associated with malnutrition, dehydration, adverse environmental conditions and enteropathies. The other main specific causes of death recorded for the years 1987 to 1989 were salmonellosis, psittacosis, mycotic pneumonia and colisepticaemia.
Carcasses of imported birds are examined at veterinary investigation centres for evidence of infectious diseases 510W which could spread to the national poultry flock, and the records do not differentiate between birds dying in transit or in quarantine.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has sought the advice of the Civil Aviation Authority concerning the transit of wild-caught birds; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanThe Department has held discussions with representatives of the CAA concerning the preparation of guidance to airline operators on the transport of animals, including wild-caught birds. I have also written personally to the airlines emphasising my concern about this trade and stressing the need to observe the International Air Transport Association's rules on the carriage of animals.
I am concerned that all who are involved in any way with this trade should do everything possible to reduce the problems which have been shown to occur, particularly in relation to the mortality of certain species.
§ Mr. SummersonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration has been given to increase the existing 35-day period of quarantine for imported birds; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanThe 35-day period of post-import quarantine for imported birds provides the necessary level of protection against the introduction of Newcastle disease, avian influenza and other exotic avian diseases, and there is no scientific justification for extending this period.