§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many wild birds were imported into the United Kingdom in 1990; and how many of these birds and how many species were not properly identified.
§ Mr. MacleanA total of 175,967 birds were imported into Great Britain in 1990. All such imports are subject to customs controls. Whenever necessary, HM Customs seek expert advice to assist with the identification of particular species. Imports of wild birds are subject to further independent health and welfare checks on entry into quarantine. The results of these checks are published in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's "Importation of Birds—Mortality Statistics from Quarantine Returns", copies of which are available in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to ban the import of wild-caught birds into the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. MacleanIn accordance with the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, trade in 156 species of bird is already banned worldwide. In addition, the European Community has banned the import of 89 bird species throughout their range and a further 102 bird species from selected countries.
Together with our European Community partners and other CITES parties, we shall consider the need for restrictions on trade in further species on the basis of the best scientific evidence available.