HL Deb 25 February 2004 vol 658 cc65-8WA
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their policy on trade in live wild caged birds.[HL1370]

Lord Whitty

Movements of captive birds between member states of the European Community, or into the Community from third countries, are subject to conditions and controls laid down in Community law. These import conditions ensure that only animals which are officially certified as being free from serious disease can be traded within or into the Community.

Animals which are traded between member states must be checked before they leave to ensure that only those complying with EC rules move from one member state to another.

Although single market rules permit free movement of animals, the authorities in an importing member state may conduct spot checks on imported consignments at the point of destination, or elsewhere if there is a suspicion of any irregularity.

In the case of animals imported into the European Community from outside the EU, consignments may only be imported through an approved border inspection post and must undergo checks by an official veterinarian to ensure that they comply with import requirements before they are permitted to enter into free circulation within the Community. There is also a requirement for captive birds to complete a 30-day post-import quarantine period which includes two veterinary visits for clinical examinations (visits are more frequent if the disease situation requires it) and testing for avian influenza and Newcastle disease.

The European Commission is also empowered to take emergency safeguard measures in the event of an outbreak of disease or any serious threat to public or animal health in either another member state or in a third country.

The transport of all animals, including wild caged birds, is governed by Community rules which are implemented in the UK by the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997. This requires that animals must not be transported in a way that could cause injury or unnecessary suffering and governs the construction and maintenance of means of transport and receptacles.

Birds imported and exported for commercial purposes would require documentation and show their origin and ownership and place of departure and destination.

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many live wild birds have been imported directly into the European Union during the past five years from each of Thailand, Cambodia. Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Pakistan, China, South Korea and Vietnam; and how many of those birds imported into the European Union have subsequently been imported into the United Kingdom. [HL1372]

Lord Whitty

We are unable to provide figures for the actual number of wild birds imported into the European Union from the said countries. Defra does not have access to data on the number of animals imported into other member states.

Animals imported from third countries must enter the European Community via a border inspection post (BIP) and must undergo checks by an official veterinarian followed by a 30-day post-import quarantine period with veterinary inspection and testing to ensure that they comply with import requirements before they are permitted to enter free circulation within the Community. Under single market provisions, birds imported into the EU and subsequently moved into the UK would be traded as EU birds so there would be no record of their non-EU origin.