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INTRODUCTION 



On July 29, 1992, the Report of the House of Representatives on H.R. 5013 was 

 referred jointly to the Committees on Merchant Marine and Fisheries and Ways and 

 Means of the House of Representatives. In that Report on what was to become the 

 Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992 ("WBCA"), the Honorable Walter B. Jones of 

 North Carolina stated that "It is the intent of the Breeder's Bill to encourage captive 

 breeding both in the United States and elsewhere" [emphasis added]. It is the 

 perception of private aviculture that the WBCA, which became P.L. 102-440 on 

 October 23, 1992, has failed that charge from the Congress in several key areas. Prior 

 to addressing these areas, permit us to define ourselves and our position. 



Aviculturists in the private sector are generally individuals who have a 

 genuine appreciation for and fascination with birds. They keep, study, breed and 

 raise exotic birds in captivity either as a devoted avocation or commercial activity. 

 The majority of private aviculturists recognize their stewardship responsibilities 

 and are deeply concerned over dwindling wild populations of avian species and are 

 sincerely dedicated to their conservation both in the wild and in captivity. Indeed, 

 the mission statement of the American Federation of Aviculture (AFA) is "To 

 preserve avian species on a worldwide basis". Aviculture has a commitment to 

 establishing self-sustaining populations in captivity as well as habitat preservation 

 and other conservation efforts in countries of origin. Aviculture believes that 

 captive breeding is a valuable asset in conservation strategy by helping reduce 

 demands on wild populations by virtue of making exotic birds readily available 

 from captive-bred sources. Aviculture actively supports avian research resulting in 

 improved knowledge and understanding of avian species. Aviculture is both a 

 conservation and humanitarian effort. Aviculture represents grassroots 

 participation at its best. Aviculture, as a cottage industry, contributes to taxes and 

 the economy without cost to the government. 



In this forum, AFA, a non-profit organization, is representing the private 

 aviculture sector. When this testimony was submitted, nearly 300 organizations 

 had joined with AFA's testimony or had requested to be listed as supporting the 

 testimony. Our constituents include people ranging from pet bird owners to 

 commercial exotic bird breeders. Pet birds are represented in 6 to 10% of the 

 households in the United States and the population of pet birds is estimated to be on 

 the order of 14 to 30 rrvillion birds. Commercial aviculture exists mainly in the form 

 of many thousands of small businesses but, collectively, the industry is large, on the 

 order of $543.4 million in annual sales. 



Aviculture has historically acknowledged that intense pressures have been 

 and are being placed on exotic (non-native to the United States) bird populations by 

 a number of sources. Devastating habitat destruction, hunting for food and feathers 

 and local use as pets, natural predation, planned programs of eradication in 

 countries of origin, smuggling and, prior to WBCA, unregulated trade, were and 

 continue to be grave concerns. While most of these pressures continue (trade with 



