DEFRA 5TH SEPTEMBER 2008
Following a thorough review, the species of birds kept in captivity that need to be registered with Defra have been confirmed by Wildlife Minister, Joan Ruddock today. In England, from 1 October 2008, keepers of golden eagles, goshawk, honey buzzard, marsh harrier, white-tailed eagle, Montagu’s harrier, and osprey will continue to register their birds on The Bird Registration Scheme (Schedule 4 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981). Fifty other species on Schedule 4 will be removed and keepers will no longer be required to pay a fee and register those birds. Keepers of peregrine falcons and merlins will still be required to undertake registration unless the specific bird is covered by a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) certificate. Joan Ruddock said: “The revised list of species on The Bird Registration Scheme targets conservation action at those species whose conservation status is most at risk from being taken from the wild for commercial purposes. “It will also mean more proportionate regulation for responsible bird keepers, while ensuring that those species most at risk are targeted.” From 1 July 2007, an indefinite ban on the importation of wild birds into the European Union came into force. The Government therefore believes that non-native birds do not need to be listed on Schedule 4 as they can no longer be imported into the EU except under exceptional circumstances. These species will also be subject to separate controls under CITES. It remains an offence to possess a bird taken from the wild, and the onus of proof remains on the person who possess a wild bird to show it was legally acquired. |
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