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In 1988, WWF convened the Cooperative Working Group on Bird Trade', which I 

 chaired, to conduct a comprehensive analysis of imports of live exotic birds into the United 

 States. The recommendations of the Working Group, which met over a period of two years, laid 

 the groundwork for the Wild Bird Conservation Act. These recommendations resulted from frank 

 discussion, hard negotiation, and compromise that a diverse range of interested organizations 

 accepted as the most practical and feasible way to reduce mortality and to control trade in wild- 

 caught birds. Representatives from the conservation community, animal welfare groups, 

 American zoos, avicultural interests, and the pet industry recognized that in the long-term we 

 share a common interest — maintenance of healthy populations of birds in the wild around the 

 world. 



This willingness ~ on the part of the avifauna industry and wildlife conservationists - to 

 work together on a common interest is a tremendously constructive approach. We need to ensure 

 that the end result of our collaboration ~ the Wild Bird Conservation Act - is being implemented 

 in a manner that addresses our individual concerns as well as our shared interests if it is to serve 

 as a model for cooperation on wildlife conservation issues in the future. I commend you for 

 holding this hearing to air coiKems about the Act and to try to find appropriate ways to address 

 them. 



Decreasing wild bird populations, particularly in tropical regions of the world, have been 

 of increasing concern to international conservationists for over a decade: the Convention on the 

 International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Faima and Flora (CITES) recognized in 1981 

 that the heavy trade in parrots had die potential to threaten wild populations, and listed aU 

 parrots, including macaws, parakeets and lories (with the exception of three species), on 

 Appendix II, which requires range states to ensure that exports of the species are not harmful to 

 wild populations. A subsequent CITES review drew attention to the large nimibers of parrots in 

 international trade and resulted in recommendations that additional trade controls be implemented 

 in a number of countries. At each Conference of the Parties to CITES in the last 15 years, a few 

 more parrot species have been moved from Appendix II to Appendix I as trade has taken its toll; 

 the scarlet macaw in 1985, the hyacinth macaw in 1987 and the Goffms cockatoo in 1992, to 

 mention only a few examples. The European Community, the world's largest regional market, 

 has implemented regulations that go beyond CITES requirements and has prohibited imports or 

 established restrictive quotas on several species of parrots. Finally, several airlines no longer 

 transport wild birds. 



As a result of this attention - both in the U.S. and internationally - range states have 

 begun to take steps to control the exports of their wild birds. Of the five major bird exporting 



Members of the Cooperative Working Group on Bird Trade: American Association 

 of Zoological Parks cind Aquariums, American Federation of Aviculture, American 

 Pheasant and Waterfowl Society, Animal Protection Institute of America, Animal 

 Welfare Institute, Association of Avian Veterinarians, Humane Society of the 

 United States, International Council for Bird Preservation, National Audubon 

 Society, Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, Society for Animal Protective 

 Legislation, TRAFFIC USA, and World Wildlife Fund 



