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biologically sustainable and not a threat to survival of the wild 

 populations. 



The WBCA provided for implementation to be phased in over time. 

 First, it established an immediate moratorium on the importation 

 of ten species of wild birds of particular concern ("significant 

 trade species") that were then listed in Appendix II of CITES. 

 Second, it directed that for one year imports would be allowed 

 under a quota, which set a maximum number of any CITES-listed 

 bird species to be imported into the U.S for that year. During 

 1993, 84,655 CITES-listed birds were imported into the U.S. in 

 1,460 shipments. Third, for 1994 and in future years, imports of 

 all CITES-listed birds were prohibited except for species 

 included in an approved list or in cases where an import permit 

 can be issued by the Service through implementing regulations. 



The Service has moved expeditiously to implement the WBCA. While 

 the WBCA established a broad framework to allow the continued 

 import of CITES-listed birds under certain conditions after the 

 first year of enactment, all imports were prohibited until 

 implementing regulations were promulgated by the Service. Given 

 that the WBCA 'affected the import of many species previously 

 unregulated, and a broad spectrum of constituent groups were 

 interested in or affected by its implementation, the Service made 

 public outreach and education a priority in developing its 

 regulations. In an effort to reach interested groups, the 



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