Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the responsibilities of her Department in relation to monitoring the import of caged or exotic birds here; the controls that are in place at ports and airports to monitor the movement of such birds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7235/06]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 277: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the additional resources which have been put in place to address the risks arising from the import of caged or exotic birds as they relate to avian flu; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7236/06]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 278: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will provide a list of the registered importers of caged or exotic birds here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7237/06]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the quarantine facilities in place for import of caged birds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7238/06]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the imports of caged birds here since the extended controls were applied in relation to avian flu; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7239/06]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 281: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of inspectors employed to check the import of caged-exotic birds here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7240/06]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 282: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps her Department has taken to ensure that caged-exotic birds are not illegally imported here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7241/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 to 282, inclusive, together.

My Department is responsible for regulating the legal importation of caged or exotic birds and has inspectors based at all official border inspection posts, BIPs. In addition, the customs authorities have overall responsibility for the enforcement of import controls.

All authorised importations of caged or exotic birds are required to be notified in advance to the relevant BIP or competent authority, as appropriate. All imports from third countries are inspected and intra-Community consignments are subject to regular random veterinary inspections as the primary checks are carried out in the country of origin. Inspections include an examination for any sign of illness or disease as well as confirmation that relevant documentation and health certification is in order.

In view of the spread of the H5N1 virus, controls on the importation of poultry, caged and exotic birds have been extended. Bans have been placed on the importation of live birds and specified poultry products from third countries, or in some cases regions of countries, affected by outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza. In addition, controls are in place on movements of poultry and other birds from protection and surveillance zones within the member states where avian influenza has been confirmed.

The European Commission has also introduced a ban on the importation of captive birds into the Community and strict controls are now applied to imports of pet birds from third countries and, in fact, may now be imported only through Dublin and Shannon airports. Additional inspectors are currently being assigned to Dublin Airport. In addition to their duties concerning caged-exotic birds, inspectors at the BIPs are involved in monitoring imports of other live animals and animal products.

Inspection staff at the BIPs are kept informed of developments in the legislation in force regarding the importation of caged and exotic birds by prompt issuance of information and are fully briefed on the documentation which is to accompany all consignments of live birds.

While it is a requirement for all importers of live animals, including birds, to be registered with the Department, there is no separate registration for importers of caged or exotic birds. The Deputy will be aware that I have introduced legislation requiring the registration with my Department of all individuals and companies that keep poultry and all those who own, handle or trade in domestic poultry or other captive birds. To date, in excess of 7,000 registrations have been made.

The Department of Agriculture and Food has an approved quarantine premises for the purpose of exotic or caged birds imported from third countries. The construction of this facility was supervised by a senior veterinarian of my Department and complies with the conditions for quarantine facilities and centres for birds laid down in annex B of Commission Decision 2000/666/EEC of 16 October 2000.