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Before a permanent ban was established in 2007,
the EU used to be the biggest importer of wild-caught
exotic birds for the pet trade. Nearly 750,000
wild birds protected by the Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) were imported
annually and many more unprotected species were
also traded.
Eurogroup welcomes this decision as this trade
is an issue of great concern because of the high
numbers of animals that die in trapping and transport.
An estimated 40 to 70 percent of all birds die
before reaching their destination and many birds
greatly suffer. They are usually caught by nets,
traps and even sticky substances applied to tree
branches. Once trapped they are crammed tightly
into cages, bags or baskets and kept in inadequate
conditions for months while waiting for export.
They then endure long flights to their final destinations
and may be sold to owners unaware of how to look
after them properly.
The import of wild-caught birds is unsustainable
and threatens animal and human health. Recent
outbreaks of avian flu have highlighted the disease's
potential to spread from wild birds to European
poultry flocks and then to humans.
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