Written question asked by Lord Moran (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Wednesday, 4 June 2008.

Animal Welfare: Wild Birds

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:How individual birds issued with Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) transaction specific certificates, but removed from Schedule 4 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, will be traced by the police for DNA testing if they are suspected of being taken from the wild.

Answer: The UK CITES Management Authority (UKMA) makes every effort to ascertain the legality of acquisition of a bird before issuing a transaction specific certificate. However, if information came to the attention of the UKMA after issuing a certificate which led it to doubt the veracity of the original application, it would trace the ownership via the name and address in box 1 ““holder””, as the certificate is re-issued every time the bird is used on a commercial basis by a new keeper. Applications for certificates will also contain details of parent birds, if known.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 3766; 702 c53-4WA
Session: 2007-08
Subjects: Birds Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species Nature conservation Trade
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk