TO: The Honorable Oscar Lathlin
COPIES: All Manitoba MLA's
SUBJECT: Bill 5 - The Wildlife Amendment Act
DATE: February 29, 2000

Dear Mr. Lathlin,

On behalf of the seventy-five members of the Parrot Club of Manitoba and myself a Manitoba business owner, I would like to identify a major problem that exists with Bill 5 - The Wildlife Amendment Act. We request that changes be made to this act to eliminate the problem before its next reading. Notwithstanding the fact this bill is essentially about hunting, Bill 5 sets a very ominous precedent for the future. Specifically, the new classification of animals called "exotic wildlife" is too broad a definition. It implies that all exotic animals should be regulated, regarding their possession, sale, importation into Manitoba and various other issues. There is no distinction made between exotic animals that are hunted and exotic animals, which are commonly kept and bred by the citizens of Manitoba as pets. This has the potential to destroy the pet industry in Manitoba along with many people's livelihoods. An exclusion clause is required within the act for pet exotic animals (e.g. parrots, soft-billed birds, reptiles etc.). These animals do not pose a danger to the public or the environment. The Manitoba pet industry (breeders, retailers, manufacturers and Veterinarians) must be protected by preserving the publics right to keep pet exotic animals without unnecessary restrictive legislation. Our request is in accordance with federal legislation that already exists regarding exotic wildlife (e.g. CITIES - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, and WAPPRIITA - Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act).

The domestic population of exotic birds in Manitoba should be considered a provincial treasure, which deserves to be protected from restrictive legislation. Aviculture is a valuable part of the overall conservation effort to prevent the extinction of many exotic bird species. PLEASE do not establish any legal precedent by which exotic wildlife could be legislated into extinction in the future.

Attached is the document - "A Manifesto For Aviculture" which provides specific information to legislators. It delivers a strong message that must be considered when developing legislation that could potentially affect exotic birds. That message is "this is time for restraint in imposing further restrictions on responsible aviculture". I would be pleased to discuss this matter with you in more detail at your convenience. I may be contacted as shown below.

Yours truly,

Dennis Saydak - Director Parrot Association of Canada