Environment chief and food agency target wild-bird trade

Europe should find a way to end the import of wild birds to European zoos and households, according to EU food experts and Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas.

A temporary ban on trade in wild birds was introduced last October to prevent the spread of the pathogenic bird virus avian flu. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was asked to look into the animal welfare and health risks of lifting the ban, which expires at the end of December.

The final EFSA report published on Monday (13 November) concludes that "it would be preferable to breed birds in captivity with high welfare standards rather than import birds captured in the wild which are often subject to poor conditions."

The report adds that, if the ban were kept in place, improvements will be needed to testing methods, bio-security measures, border controls and quality control.

A spokeswoman for Dimas said he would support a total ban on wild bird trade. "He is working hard to find a solution to make sure birds are not imported," said the spokeswoman.

EFSA estimates that 800,000 wild birds are imported every year, adding that there is "generally a high mortality rate and widespread suffering".

Environmentalists welcomed the report.

Sacha Cleminson of Birdlife International said a ban was needed to save birds from extinction. "Such high levels of mortality don’t paint a story of sustainable trade. This is a squalid and cruel trade and, if the EU public knew what wild birds underwent in many cases, it would not be accepted."

The ban was one of several measures pushed through by the European Commission’s directorate-general for health and consumer protection when bird flu fears were at their peak.

A decision on how to proceed is due from the Commission by the end of the year.

A spokesman for Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou said the Commission was considering the EFSA opinion and would discuss with member states the appropriate steps. "Any decision will be risk-based and take into account animal welfare," he added.

Europe should find a way to end the import of wild birds to European zoos and households, according to EU food experts and Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas.