Wildlife trade and conservation

The Minister is considering granting a permit to Mr Fok of Chatswood, NSW, to export one (1) Eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus) to Hong Kong.

The applicant has owned the bird for over 8 years. The bird was born in captivity and purchased from a pet shop. The applicant is an Australian Citizen who is moving overseas permanently and wishes to care for the bird as a household pet in Hong Kong and does not intend to sell the bird. A letter was received from the birds Veterinarian stating the feather picking habit the bird has developed is likely to be caused by behavioral problems rather than disease.

Should the permit be granted conditions will be imposed which specify that:

• The owner/exporter of the bird specified on this permit, has been given permission to export the bird on the basis that the bird is kept overseas by the owner/exporter as a pet and will not be sold, traded or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

This permit may only be issued if exceptional circumstances exist, and the export would not be contrary to the objects of Part 13A of the EPBC Act. You are invited to provide comments on the proposal to issue this permit, and any comments will be taken into account in making the decision.

Please address any comments to:

The Director
International Wildlife Trade Section
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
P.O. Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
wildlifetrade@environment.gov.au

Invitation to comment period closes Wednesday 16 January 2008