AI risks fuels call to ban wild bird imports

Animal welfare groups and wildlife conservationists are calling on the egg industry to support a move to ban the importation of wild birds.

The EU is now the largest consumer of wild-caught birds, accounting for about 80 per cent of imports worldwide, says the RSPCA. The organisation is concerned about the welfare problems associated with this trade—up to 80 per cent mortality between capture and pet shop in some instances—and the impact on conservation. But it is the disease risk which has caused campaigners to seek support from UK egg producers.

“There is concern that the present EU system of quarantine for imports of wild birds for the bird trade is not adequate and will not stop imports and outbreaks of disease such as Newcastle Disease,” says the RSPCA’s head of external affairs, David Bowles.

Although regulations call for a 30 day quarantine in the exporting country and separation of species during transportation, there is no evidence that this is being strictly applied, says Mr Bowles, who is now seeking support from BFREPA for a ban on the trade.

The disease risk was highlighted last October when two wild eagles brought in from Thailand and confiscated by customs officers in Brussels tested positive for Avian Influenza. Earlier in the year, a shipment of parrots to Italy from Pakistan were found to be infected with Newcastle Disease.

And while most imported birds are destined for Italy, Holland and Spain, imports into the UK are rising. The EU has imposed a temporary import ban on countries currently affected by bird flu but a permanent end to the trade is now being sought. The US implemented a total ban in 1992 and demand for pets is largely met now by captive breeding.

BFREPA chairman Tom Vesey said he believed every step possible should be taken to ensure the UK remains free of devastating diseases such as bird flu and was happy to support calls for a ban on wild bird imports.

“We are working closely with the BEIC on this issue in the hope that the egg industry can present a united front,” he said.