46 



that have expressed interest. We have offered technical 

 expertise and support to those countries requesting assistance in 

 monitoring psittacine populations and developing sustainable use 

 management plans. In one instance, Service personnel visited 

 Argentina (a major exporter of wild birds prior to the WBCA) to 

 observe and comment on ongoing studies into the ecology and 

 conservation of the Blue-fronted Amazon parrot and a potential 

 plan for its sustainable harvest. The government of Indonesia 

 has initiated studies into the sustainable management of its bird 

 populations in anticipation of final regulations. 



The fourth priority for implementation was to establish criteria 

 so that the Service can evaluate and approve foreign breeding 

 facilities, as an alternative source for birds not available from 

 sustainably-managed wild populations. These regulations have 

 been proposed and over 4 000 public comments were received, 

 including substantive input from many avicultural, raptor 

 breeder, conservation, animal welfare, and scientific 

 organizations and the pet industry. The Service is currently 

 reviewing these comments to ensure that any final regulations are 

 responsive to those comments. Once implemented such regulations 

 would allow for the import of birds from an approved breeding 

 facility without a WBCA permit. We expect a final decision to be 

 made on these proposed regulations by the end of the year. 



