HC Deb 22 March 1995 vol 257 cc225-7W
Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) pursuant to his answer of 3 March,Official Report, columns 757–58, which national journals are checked by his Department for any potential offences relating to the sale of birds listed in (a) appendix I of CITES and (b) annexe CI of EC regulation 3626/82; [15052]

(2) how many potential offences his Department has identified in the national trade journals in each of the last three years involving birds listed in appendix I of CITES and (b) annexe CI of EC regulation 3626/82; and how many of these have been passed to the police to investigate; [15038]

(3) in respect of the sale of Livingstones Turacos, how many specimens of this have been advertised for sale in the trade journals his Department monitors during the last four years; and how many cases were passed to the police to investigate. [15038]

Sir Paul Beresford

My Department monitors four trade journals for potential offences relating to the sale of birds. These are two weekly titles—Cage and Aviary Birds and Exchange and Mart—and two monthly journals—Bird Keeper and the magazine of the Parrot Society.

Prior to November 1994, my Department kept no detailed records of cases resulting from monitoring journals. However, a substantial number of potential offences were identified and pursued, and eight cases were passed to the police between January 1992 and October 1994. Since November 1994, 26 potential sales offences have been identified and nine cases have been passed to the police to investigate, including one relating to the sale of a Livingstones Turaco.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) pursuant to his answer of 3 March,Official Report, columns 757–58, how his Department ensures that an exemption issued to sell a bird listed in appendix I of CITES or annexe C1 of EC regulation 3626/82 relates to the individual specimen in question; and what proportion of bird species listed in appendix I of CITES or annexe C1 of EC regulation 3626/82 his Department requires to be statutorily ringed or marked in order to be sold; [15050]

(2) what steps his Department takes to verify the origin and date of acquisition of the specimens and if the birds have been captive bred when considering applications for individual sales exemptions to sell birds listed in appendix I of CITES or annexe C1 of EC regulation 3626/82; [15051]

(3) how his Department establishes whether a vendor has any convictions under wildlife legislation when considering an application for an individual sales exemption to sell birds listed in appendix I of CITES or annexe C1 of EC regulation 3626/82. [15049]

Sir Paul Beresford

Statutory provisions to register with the Department and ring birds kept in captivity apply to some 5 per cent. of the species listed in appendix I of CITES or annexe C1 of EC regulation 3626/82.

While there is no statutory requirement to ring appendix I or annexe C1 species specifically for the purpose of sale, any sales exemption for a species subject to the registration and ringing requirements would normally require the bird to be ringed in accordance with the statutory provisions. Individual sales exemptions for species not subject to the ringing requirements also contain information that enables the specimen to be identified, including any ring number.

When submitting applications for sales exemptions, applicants must provide full details of the specimen, including origin and details of acquisition. Where appropriate, they have to supply details of any convictions under wildlife legislation. They are also required to sign a declaration that the information provided is correct and complete to the best of their knowledge and belief.

Any areas of doubt about the information provided would be followed up by the Department. The Departments wildlife inspectorate also has powers to inspect premises to ensure that conditions attached to sales exemptions have been met.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which statutory agencies have authorised persons as defined by the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulation 1985. [15040]

Sir Paul Beresford

Under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1985, the Secretary of State for the Environment has authorised all members of my Departments wildlife inspectorate and certain named police officers. In addition, Her Majestys Customs and Excise has the power, under paragraph 2 of the regulations, to authorise persons.