CITES Appendix I Psittacines |
Introduction | AFA CITES Representative | The AFA Position and the Survey | The Birds | CITES | USFWS
A message from Rick Jordan
to owners of CITES Appendix I avian species:
|
|
The AFA Fast ads has the census form in the middle. This is very important information if you have any of these species. Why, because they are all listed on CITES Appendix I and are now "in danger" of being added to the U.S. Endangered Species Act which will change their status in aviculture. If added to the USESA, any movement across a State line with any listed species, for money or barter, will require a permit from the federal level USFWS. Further, the USFWS cannot issue this permit for the purposes of "pet trade"....it must be issued for the propagation of the species only. Anyone applying for this permit will then be required to submit a report every year to the USFWS outlining all activities with these species including, hatches, deaths, trades, sales, etc.
The only way we can STOP the permit registration from taking effect on these species if they are uplisted is to provide the USFWS with breeding and census data on these birds. If enough pairs and birds are reported to substantiate a "self-sustaining captive population "...the USFWS can take steps to eliminate the reporting requirements under the USESA.
So, if you have any of these species.............PLEASE............fill out the census form.
|
|
Your CITES Appendix I species could soon require an Interstate Commerce Permit or Captive-bred wildlife permit to sell across State lines:
The USFWS has been asked by a very organized group of conservationists to add all Endangered CITES Appendix I listed species to the United States Endangered Species Act. The Service must now review them and see if that is warranted.
Currenly CITES Appendix I includes many pet trade birds such as: Hyacinth macaws, Caninde macaws, Military and Buffon's Macaws, Illiger's Macaws, Red-fronted macaws, Moluccan cockatoos, Goffin's cockatoos, Red-vented cockatoos, Palm Cockatoos, Yellow-shouldered amazons, Mexican Red-headed amazons, Golden conures, Vinaceous amazons, Cuban amazons, and others.
If this group and others petition the USFWS to list these species (which is being discussed and will probably happen soon), the only way to STOP the permit requirements is to demonstrate, through captive breeding data, that a self-sustaining population of the species is held by U.S. aviculture. Furthermore, this data must demonstrate that the species does breed in captivity. If we cannot prove that these species are being held and bred, then permits will be need to sell across State lines. Additionally, the Endangered SPecies Act does not allow for permits for these species to be sold as pets. Therefore, you will be able to sell offspring of these species into the pet trade within the State where you live.......no where else.
As the AFA CITES Committee Chairman, I have designed a very simple and short survey to assist in gathering the data we will need to present to the USFWS. The survey is anonymous, and can be answered in groups or at bird clubs if desired. Your data will be presented in a "summary" form,and will not include any names or addresses whatsoever, even if you choose to include your name on the survey form.
This is a very serious situation for aviculture. Some of the most commonly kept pet birds are now included on Appendix I of CITES. Not because we breed them here,but because they are Endangered in the wild. The data will help to demonstrate that US aviculture, since the passing of the WBCA, does not rely on more wild-caught birds to maintain its stock here in the U.S. Thank you all for participating. I will be getting surveys out this week. As well it will be published in the AFA Fast ads and in the Watchbird magazine. We need this data ASAP! Even if you only have a few birds, please submit a survey so your data can be included in on the count.
|
|
If you are not a member of the AFA or allied organization and/or did not receive the Survey in your copy of the Fast Ads or from another bird organization, please contact the AFA Regional Director covering your part of the United States and you will be told where to submit your individual form.
Next (AFA Survey)
|