HL Deb 08 May 1991 vol 528 cc47-8WA
Lord Ross of Newport

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many wild birds were imported into the United Kingdom in 1989, and how many subsequently died in quarantine; and

What percentage of wild birds imported into the United Kingdom were either dead on arrival, or died while in quarantine, in 1988 and 1989.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Trumpington)

The information is given below. Copies of the reports from which the figures are taken(Importation of Birds—Mortality Statistics from Quarantine Returns) have been placed in both Libraries.

1988 1989
Number of birds imported 184,577 184,601
Found dead on arrival 4,732 4,015
(Percentage dead on arrival) (2.56) (2.17)
Died in quarantine 20,619 19,471
(Percentage died in quarantine) (11.17) (10.54)