THE PHILIPPINES could start exporting exotic birds to the European Union this year should its members approve the application of local suppliers, an agriculture official said last week.
Florence D. Silvano, chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry’s (BAI) National Veterinary Quarantine Services, told reporters late Friday that the exotic birds may include parrots, cockatoos and conures.
“Our application with the names of exporting firms will be given to member countries for approval. After the approval, the exports can start,” she said, adding that the approval process could take between three and six months.
The BAI received a letter from the European Commission (EC), the executive arm of the union, in December which stated that the Philippines’ application for accreditation for local firms to export birds was found favorable since the country is free of the avian influenza.
Ms. Silvano noted, however, that the EC still required the BAI to submit the names of firms that intend to export the birds and that their applications will need the approval of all 27 EU members.
The accreditation requirement is based on the EC’s Commission Regulation No. 318 of 2007.
For his part, Manuel C. Jardinel, administrative officer of Bird International, Inc., said in the same event that the exports are for zoos and quantity will be regulated. The Philippine cockatoo has been declared an endangered species.—L. D. Desiderio
]]>VII. International Parrot Convention - 22nd - 25th September (more details follow)
More details at: http://www.loroparque-fundacion.org
I. International Convention on the Conservation of Psittacidae: Science, Policy and Practice
20th – 22nd September 2010
Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
The Loro Parque Fundación will host and organise this first convention dealing with scientific and management issues, with the intention to set a benchmark against which to measure future advances in the conservation of the Psittacidae. The conference will be especially appropriate for scientists and practitioners involved with field projects, and government authorities with responsibilities for, or affecting, the management and conservation of Psittacidae.
Venue
Hotel Botánico, Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
Official languages
English and Spanish: The presentations will be translated simultaneously into English or Spanish respectively.
The Speakers
Dr Robin Bjork, Principal Scientist, Conservation Sciences Program, SalvaNATURA, El Salvador
Dr Donald Brightsmith, Research Assistant Professor, Schubot Exotic Bird Health Center, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, United States
Dr Nigel Collar, Research Fellow in Conservation Biology, Birdlife International and University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
Indira Dayang Lacerna-Widmann, Program Manager, Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Program, Chief Operations Officer, Katala Foundation , Philippines
Dr Stuart Marsden, Reader in Conservation Ecology, Applied Ecology Group, Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
Alonso Quevedo, Director General, Fundación ProAves, Colombia
Dr Katherine Renton, Senior Researcher, Chamela Biological Station, Institute of Biology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
Dr Jörn Theuerkauf, Research Scientist, Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland
Dr Jorgen Thomsen, Director of Conservation and Sustainable Development, The MacArthur Foundation,
USA
Dr Paul Salaman, Conservation Director, World Land Trust-US, USA
Dr David Waugh, Director, Loro Parque Foundation, Spain
Dr Thomas H. White, Jr., Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Puerto Rico
]]>This confiscation came as the result of the investigations of LAGA, an enforcement ngo working with the local authorities.
The parrots were brought to the Limbe Wildlife Centre, that was still holding 200 Grey parrots coming from a November seizure. The birds have been placed in the ape quarantine enclosures, as it was the only space available at the LWC.
Most of the parrots were in poor shape, exhausted from the lack of food and water. Their health is being evaluated, and the parrots will be divided according to their conditions. The healthy parrots will be released as soon as they will be fit enough.
As you can imagine, this seizure placed a huge pressure on the LWC. We have provided emergency funding, and we received the support of HSUS and Born Free to which we are very grateful.
We are also providing guidance and advice on veterinary issues and general management.
Many of these parrots will likely need a long rehabilitation period before they can be released, and the cost for their care and keeping will be high.
We will be very grateful for any donations to help us help these parrots. Donations can be made here http://flyfree.typepad.com/fly-free/
We will keep you updated.
Thank you very much,
Cristiana