HC Deb 22 July 1999 vol 335 cc598-9W
Mr. Viggers

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make representations to the French Government about its extensions to the season for shooting songbirds. [92414]

Mr. Meale

The measures member states should take to protect wild birds, including the extent of hunting seasons, are laid out in the EC Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds (79/409/EEC). It is the responsibility of the European Commission to ensure that member states comply with the provisions of EC Directives, and my Department supports the Commission in this aim.