§ Mr. RiddickTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the introduction of a general licensing system to control the shooting of bird pest species will be delayed until the European Parliamentary Environmental Group and the European Commission have decided whether or how the European birds directive is to be changed.
§ Mr. BaldryShould such a system be introduced, it would take full account of any changes that may be made to the EC birds directive, and the need to maintain arrangements for sensible and practicable control of pest bird species where necessary.
§ Mr. RiddickTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what work his Department is carrying out on preparing for the introduction of a closed season for bird pest species; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryThere are no proposals for introducing a closed season for pest bird species.