§ Mr. GaleTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will discuss the trade in wild-caught birds at the next meeting of the Council of Ministers.
§ Mr. CurryA new Community directive on the protection of animals, including birds, during transport was agreed in the Agricultural Council on 21–22 October. Following pressure from the United Kingdom the directive requires additional rules to be established to address the welfare problems in the trade in wild birds. We will be pressing for an early decision on this matter. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is also seeking to place the topic on the agenda for the Environment Council on 9 December 1991.