November 4, 2006

After a long and comprehensive rewrite of the original Model Aviculture Program, the Parrot Association of Canada is proud to announce the release of CMAP. The updated version of the MAP may well be the most important tool to ensure the survival of Aviculture in Canada. .

Disease prevention, containment and management are addressed, along with proper flock and neonate care and handling. Quarantine protocols contained in this program will help to ensure the health and safety of the breeding flock. Thus, birds available on the market from CMAP accredited breeders will have a very low probability of harboring any of the major diseases that could pose a threat to aviculture now, or in the future.

The Directors of PAC along with other professionals in the aviculture community have spent countless hours to make this program as comprehensive as possible, while keeping the entry level attainable by the average dedicated aviculturist.

Until now, Canada has not had a comprehensive and thorough set of guidelines for aviculture. This is an issue animal rights activists have pointed to in the past and will continue to stress in the future. With the cooperation and voluntary registration of breeders, and support from the Aviculture Community as a whole, we now have the opportunity to counter this argument.

In the long run, disease prevention, proper quarantine and flock management are far more cost effective for a breeder than dealing with a major outbreak of disease and the potential loss of an entire breeding flock. With CMAP, "certified breeders" can show potential clients and the general public that they follow an "accepted" set of standards that help to ensure the health and safety of their breeding birds, offspring and the general public. With issues like "West Nile virus" and "H5N1" it is only a matter of time before self-serving and uninformed special interest groups label captive birds as a potential threat to public safety. CMAP has been rewritten with this in mind.

For the parrot owner this can mean a happy, healthy baby parrot. With the support of parrot breeders and individual parrot owners, we can ensure the survival of caring, committed and professional aviculture in Canada. Supporting PAC and CMAP now, means we all win. Breeders can show they are committed to the health and safety of all. You, as a parrot owner, can show that you believe in the best care and management for all parrots in captivity. With a cooperative effort we can help prevent the spread of disease in parrots and ensure the survival of Aviculture in Canada.

Click here for detailed information about CMAP.