PERMANENT BAN ON WILD-CAUGHT BIRDS

Early day motion 362, tabled 30 November 2006 by Elliot Morley (Labour). Signed by 64 members.

That this House welcomes the report by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) which highlights the very serious risks to public health created by the trade in wild-caught birds; recognises the risk the trade creates of introducing diseases such as avian influenza and Newcastle disease into the European Union; notes that the EU is the largest current importer of wild-caught birds in the world; condemns the cruelty of capture and transit of wild birds that cause a mortality rate of up to 70 per cent. before the birds even reach quarantine; and calls on the Government to support actively the case for a permanent ban on the trade when the temporary ban comes to review before its expiry on 31st December 2006.

Signatures by party: Labour 39, Liberal Democrat 16, Conservative 8, DUP 1.