CONTENTS Anderson, Hon. Glenn M., a U.S. Representative from California Beissinger, Steve, Chair, Committee on Bird Trade, American Ornitholo- Studds, Hon. Gerry E., a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts, and Chairman, Subcommittee on Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation and Waltman, James R., National Audubon Society (prepared statement)... 188 Bruning, Don (New York Zoological Society): An Issue Analysis, "When a Bird in the Hand Means None in the Bush: A Call to Stop the Current Practices of the Wild Bird Trade," June 1992. Desborough, Laurella (Aviculturist): Informational pamphlet, “Model Avi- 203 Communications submitted: Arbon, Bill (Pionus Breeders Association): Letter to Hon. Gerry Studds ..... 198 Baker, Susan, (The AMAZONA Society) dated March 13, 1992.. Bauer, Fred (The Study Group For Avicultural Certification) to Hon. 171 Communications submitted-Continued Bruning, Don (New York Zoological_Society)—Letter from-Continued 172 Flynn, Joyce M. (American Pheasant & Waterfowl Society) to Hon. 177 Martin, Phyllis K. (International LORIINAE Society) to the Honora- 173 162 Salonek, Scott (Minnesota Pheasant and Waterfowl Society) to Hon. 167 Stanton, Michael (Idaho Bird Breeders Association) to Hon. Gerry 170 Van Oosten, Jan Roger (The International LORIINAE Society) to the Congress of the U.S., dated March 6, 1992... Desborough, Laurella (Aviculturist): Letter to Hon. Gerry Studds. Harring, Kathleen S. (Owner, Luv Them Birds, Goulds, Florida): Letter to Manzur, Dr. Maria I. (Comite Nacional Pro Defensa de la Fauna y Flora, McMullen, Sheryl (Aviculturist): Letter to Ms. Deirdre Kimball, Subcom- 208 209 THE WILD BIRD CONSERVATION ACT TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 1992 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SUBCOMMITTEE ON FISHERIES Washington, DC. The subcommittees met, pursuant to call, at 10:08 a.m., in room 1334, Longworth House Office Building, Hon. Gerry E. Studds (Chairman of the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation and the Environment) presiding. Members present: Representatives Studds, Hughes, Pallone, Hochbrueckner, Anderson, Coble, Goss, Lowey, and Herger. Staff present: Edmund B. Welch, Chief Counsel; Will Stelle, General Counsel; Laurie Wilkerson, Counsel; Thomas Kitsos, Senior Policy Analyst; Tom O. Melius, Professional Staff; Jennifer Thompson, Staff Assistant; Gina DeFerrari, Professional Staff; Leslie Dierauf, Professional Staff; Jim McCallum, Professional Staff; Suzanne Waldron, Press Secretary; George Pence, Minority Staff Director; Margherita Woods, Chief Minority Clerk; Lesli Gray, Subcommittee Clerk; Jill Brady, Professional Staff; and Tom Bennett. OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. GERRY E. STUDDS, A U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM MASSACHUSETTS, AND CHAIRMAN, SUBCOMMITTEE ON FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT Mr. STUDDS. Before we begin, we do not anticipate an overflow of Members in attendance, people who wish to sit down and cannot find chairs are welcome to sit around the front row here. I will give you 10 seconds to show the courage. The Subcommittee on Fisheries and Wildlife meets jointly with the Subcommittee on Trade this morning to discuss H.R. 5013, the Wild Bird Conservation Act. Although habitat loss is the single most significant factor in the decline of wild bird populations around the world, trade has contributed significantly to the decline. The extent of the damage that has been done to wild bird populations is not known precisely, because many exporting countries lack the resources needed to analyze the ecological impacts of the trade. What is clear is that some of the world's greatest breeding grounds for beautiful and unusual birds have been systematically plundered in order to supply house pets for people. This trade is literally wreaking havoc on some of the world's most beautiful creatures, and the United States is the largest importer. Clearly, something needs to be done. The legislation before us today will phaseout bird imports if they are having a detrimental effect on the wild populations. Mr. Hayden deserves a great deal of credit for drafting this bill. And while it does not completely satisfy everyone, it is a step in the right direction, and it has clearly provided an incentive for fruitful discussions. It is a very serious and urgent problem we are discussing today. It is my hope that after today's hearing, we will be able to muster sufficient support behind a common proposal to enact legislation this year. If we don't then it will likely be at least two more years before the 103rd Congress can complete the job-meaning two more years of continuing the trade that is pushing these birds toward extinction. If we are to enact legislation this year, we will have to move more quickly. I urge everyone here today to think creatively and negotiate flexibly in the days ahead so that we can move forward in time to provide these birds the protection they desperately need. I look forward to an interesting morning. Are there other opening statements? The gentleman from Florida. STATEMENT OF HON. PORTER J. GOSS, A U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM FLORIDA Mr. Goss. Mr. Chairman, thank you. I want to commend you and those responsible for bringing this matter to our attention. There is a surprising amount of constituent interest. This is a subject that cannot go away. I concur with your conclusion, the time has come to try and move some legislation on at this time. I would like to reserve the right to submit an opening statement if I may. Mr. STUDDS. Certainly. Any other opening statements? STATEMENT OF HON. GEORGE J. HOCHBRUECKNER, A U.S. Mr. HOCHBRUECKNER. Thank you for having this hearing. I think it is an important subject. Certainly in New York State, we passed legislation back when I was back in the assembly in 1984, a very strong bill and I am hoping it can be a model for the Nation and can be dovetailed in terms with this legislation. Thank you. I look forward to the hearing. Mr. STUDDS. The gentleman from California. STATEMENT OF HON. GLENN M. ANDERSON, A U.S. Mr. ANDERSON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for holding this hearing on H.R. 5013, the Wild Bird Conservation Act. I would further like to thank our distinguished panel of experts for taking the time to come here today to offer their insights. H.R. 5013 represents the fourth attempt to address the regulatory shortcomings and practical abuses of today's international trade of wild and exotic birds. As the world's largest market for exotic birds, I feel the United States has an obligation to manage the trade in a responsible and humane way. We have all seen the extensive documentation on the inherent cruelty of today's trade practices. This behavior cannot be allowed to continue. I believe this bill offers an acceptable and workable approach to many of the problems of the wild bird trade, provided we include an immediate ban on the importation of wild birds. I am aware this has been a contentious issue in the debate over wild bird importing, but I feel there is compelling evidence, both of an ethical and practical nature to support an immediate ban. A phased-out importation policy would only further perpetuate the trade practices proven to be so terribly destructive to the wild birds' species and their natural habitat. The testimony to be offered today will graphically illustrate how the threat of extinction is already facing many of our most rare and beautiful species of birds. If we wait three, four, or five more years to halt wild bird imports, how many more species will be lost? And from a practical standpoint, any plan to phaseout importation of wild birds assumes we currently have a functional system for monitoring bird imports. And this is simply not the case. The vast number of species, the numerous points of entry, and the sheer volume of imported birds make accurate and complete recordkeeping impossible. In fact, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service is only able to inspect one-fourth of all incoming shipments. The overburdened and underresourced Fish and Wildlife Service cannot do the job today which employs numerous changing and species-specific import quotas. An immediate ban would simplify enforcement and allow for more thorough inspection of import shipments. For these reasons, and to end the reckless and inhumane treatment of the world's exotic birds, I support H.R. 5013 with an immediate ban provision. Thank you, again, Mr. Chairman. I look forward to hearing the testimony of our witnesses. Mr. STUDDS. Let me state at the outset our general ground rules and apologize to our witnesses for the inflexibility. Timing requires all witnesses confine their oral statements to no longer than five minutes. All written statements which are considerably longer than that will appear in their entirety in the record. We apologize for that. If we don't do that and hold ourselves to the same rule, we will be unable to hear everyone. We will begin incidentally, if you have not been here before, we have this barbaric system of lights. If the green light is on, you are fine. The yellow light means one minute to go and the red light means you have finished your statement. A panel, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Assistant Secretary Mike Hayden. |