“No ban on all bird imports”

The Pet Care Trust has challenged the recent report launched by the RSPCA seeking a permanent ban on wild bird imports. Livestock consultant Dr Jim Collins found the report to be misleading, containing a mass of inconsistencies and inaccuracies. In May, the Trust welcomed the government’s response to the Dimmock report recommending tighter quarantine regulations to minimise the risk from avian influenza and other contagious avian diseases. Rather than simply banning all bird imports, the government took a measured response. The European Union has helped several exporting nations to improve the welfare of birds prior to shipping and avian influenza has led to the introduction of vigorous quarantine requirements. The Pet Care Trust believes these measures are proportionate and that the threat of bird flu should not be used as an excuse to curtail the legitimate and responsible bird trade.