The Wildlife Division has called for a comprehensive review of the Wildlife Export Act on the grounds that it has become outdated and is hampering trade.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release, the Wild Birds Protection Act of 1919 states that a specified closed season for wild birds is from April 1 to August 1 annually.
Head of the Wildlife Division Alona Sankar at a recent consultation, in reference to the outlines of the proposals, said in order for exporters to reap maximum benefits, the laws which currently govern the trade need to be revamped.
Exports generated for the wildlife division are currently valued at $50M annually and there are 15 licensed exporters. Sankar said that while much can be derived from the trade, the bird flu epidemic in 2009 resulted in a reduction in wildlife exports, but this is now increasing.
Stakeholders sought proposals being made by the Wildlife Authority for the closed season to start instead from January 1 to May 31. While Guyana and Suriname are the only two countries in the Caribbean that engage in this type of trade, Dr Robin Austin, chairman of the Wildlife Management Auth-ority underscored its importance, and pointed to the fact that the consultation will significantly improve the wildlife export system.
In his address Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud said government has engaged the Surinamese authorities to look at ways to collaborate to curb the illegal trade.
He said this issue remains a worrying factor, even as measures are being put in place to address other challenges in the sector.
