Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what evidence they have received that organised and violent criminals are involved with bird trapping in Cyprus, especially in the Sovereign Base Areas.

Whilst songbirds are a protected species under both Cypriot and Sovereign Base Areas law, trapping and eating songbirds unfortunately remains a practice in some Cypriot communities, and substantial profits can still be made by those who organise and control this activity. Nevertheless, the Sovereign Base Areas Administration takes wildlife crime seriously. Those who commit offences under the Game and Wild Bird Ordinance and other legislation that protects our wildlife face significant penalties including up to three years in prison and/or a €17,086 fine.