To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many seizures there were of wild birds illegally imported into the UK in the 12 months (a) before and (b) since October 2005. (112693)

From October 2004 to September 2005, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) made seven seizures of wild birds illegally imported into the UK under their border enforcement powers relating to the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES). These comprised 311 wild birds in total.

From October 2005 to October 2006 HMRC made three seizures of wild birds illegally imported into the UK under their powers relating to CITES. These comprised three wild birds in total.