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October 27, 1995 



Congressman Jim Saxton, Chairman 

 Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans 

 U. S. House of Representatives 

 HI -805 O'Neill House Office Building 

 Washington, D.C. 20515 



Dear Congressman Saxton: 



On 28 September 1995 The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) 

 presented testimony on behalf of our 2.3 million members. Defenders of 

 Wildlife, Environmental Investigation Agency, Soaety for Animal 

 Protective Legislation and other conservation and animal protection 

 organizations before the House Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, 

 Wildlife and Oceans (Subcommittee) on the U.S. Wild Bird Conservation 

 Act (Act). We strongly support this law, which has made the United 

 States a leader in efforts to protect exotic wild birds, and urge the 

 Subcommittee to reauthorize the Act without any language changes. 



It was evident during the hearing that almost all of the concerns relating to 

 the Art could be addressed through increased funding. An increase in 

 funding would enable the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Seivice) to issue 

 permits, implement regulations and address constituent concerns m a more 

 expeditious and responsive manner. Simplification of the permitting 

 process through changes in the language of the Art is not necessary. 

 When deliberating on the most appropriate course of action in terms ot 

 the reauthorization, we urge the Subcommittee to pursue this route, which 

 is the only option that received the support of all groups testifying at the 

 hearing. 



Our written testimony has addressed already most of the proposed changes 

 to the Wild Bird Conservation Art which were presented at the 28 

 September hearing. Specifically, any weakening of the requirements for 

 importing captive-bred birds from overseas breeding faalities or the 

 removal of language granting the Secretary of the Interior the authority to 

 impose limited marking programs would compromise the intent of the Art 

 and severely limit the Semces' ability to curtail smuggling. The request 

 that captive-bred birds be exempted entirely from the provisions of the Art 



The lIunianL' .Society of llic Initcil Stmcs 

 2100 L SlrcL-t, NW. WjishiniSton. DC 2(M).17 

 (202) 4,S2-IIO0 F.V\ (202) 778-61.^2 



