§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will amend the guidelines on avicultural purposes in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to ensure that birds bred or reared in captivity cannot be(a) sold for profit or personal gain, (b) used for medical experimentation and (c) used for any other purpose except the propagation of the species under English Nature approved conditions. [70906]
§ Mr. MealeLicences to take birds for Avicultural purposes are issued only after consultation with English Nature. Conditions are imposed on these licences to ensure that the birds cannot be used for any other purpose. Birds can be sold only with the approval of the Department. There are no plans to amend the current procedure.
§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received regarding the issuing of a licence to take 60 redwings from the wild for avicultural purposes; and if he will make a statement regarding their treatment and potential release. [70905]
§ Mr. MealeMy Department has received four representations concerning the licence to take sixty redwings. The licence issued was granted subject to the condition that the birds were taken solely for the purpose of aviculture.