ILLEGAL SONGBIRD MARKET IN CYPRUS

That this House is concerned by the growing illegal practice of trapping and eating songbirds in Cyprus; notes that thousands of birds migrating in search of warmer climates face being lured, killed and sold to restaurants as part of an illegal multi-million pound industry; believes it to be unacceptable that poachers are prolific on the British military base of Dhekelia; further notes the recent launch of Operation Freedom by the British authorities to tackle the matter, and commends their limited success; and calls for further immediate and urgent action to be taken in collaboration with the Cypriot authorities to put an end to this illegal and cruel practice.