§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, without the requirement for a veterinary inspector's input, the current inspection regime for wild birds at border inspection points of the European Union is adequate. [HL1373]
§ Lord WhittyImports of captive birds (which have been wild caught in a third country) are checked by an official veterinarian of the State Veterinary Service at border inspection posts (BIPs) to ensure that they comply with EU import conditions. After clearance from the BIP they are held in quarantine for 30 days under veterinary control where they are tested for relevant notifiable diseases. The birds are only released at the end of the quarantine period if they are healthy and present no risk to the UK flocks.