ILLEGAL SONGBIRD MARKET IN CYPRUS

Early day motion 567, tabled 12 January 2010 by Lindsay Hoyle (Labour). Signed by 46 members.

That this House is concerned by the growing illegal practice of trapping and eating songbirds in Cyprus; notes that thousands of birds migrating in search of warmer climates face being lured, killed and sold to restaurants as part of an illegal multi-million pound industry; believes it to be unacceptable that poachers are prolific on the British military base of Dhekelia; further notes the recent launch of Operation Freedom by the British authorities to tackle the matter, and commends their limited success; and calls for further immediate and urgent action to be taken in collaboration with the Cypriot authorities to put an end to this illegal and cruel practice.

Signatures by party: Labour 33, Liberal Democrat 5, Conservative 3, Independent 2, DUP 1, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.