*EU to ban imports of wild birds*

The trade in wild birds is to be permanently banned across the European
Union starting in July, EU animal health officials have decided.

The move will replace a temporary ban imposed by Brussels in 2005 as
part of measures to prevent outbreaks of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu.

Animal welfare campaigners say the permanent ban will save millions of
birds, including many rare species.

Only captive-bred birds from approved countries will be allowed into the EU.

Tighter controls on the health and quarantine of imported birds are also
to be imposed.

Campaigners have blamed Europe's trade in wild birds as a significant
factor in the decline of many threatened species such as the African
grey parrot.

Before the temporary ban was imposed, about 1.7 million wild birds were
imported annually into the EU.

About 60% of the birds caught for import died before they reached Europe
from poor handling or disease, Britain's Royal Society for the
Protection of Birds said.

The temporary ban was imposed in October 2005 after wild birds at a
quarantine station in Britain were found to have avian flu.