IndianRingNeck.com

Our genius minister Edith Molewa of water and environmental affairs has published DRAFT Legislation (Notice 78 of 2014) wanting to declare Indian Ringnecks an invader species and BAN all imports, breeding and selling of Indian Ringnecks in South Africa.

We have until 12-03-2014 to comment and express our OUTRAGE or this DRAFT Legislation WILL BE PASSED INTO LAW.

Details below:

Guys this is serious.We need to unite and draw up a letter of objection .
I would hope the parrot and other assoations will start a petition to protect our beloved avian friends from falling victim of another uneducated decision the powers that be are fiddeling with

My Email is robert(at)telkomsa,net
Please forward any objection proposal so I can assist in forwarding to all my fellow breeders as soon as possable

Count me in as well

Count me in

I have not been able to find any environmental impact study conducted on the topic in SA. When visiting http://www.invasives.org.za, one will find that they base the inclusion of the ban on ringnecks (look at the bottom right for "Animal Pest Alerts") on the findings of (Western) Australian Department of Agriculture and Food. Can you believe, SA environmental affairs is too lazy to conduct this type of thing themselves, or even draft their own brochure. I'm not, but I'm used to the way things are done in SA.

Now, no offence to the general folks in Western Australia, but this is the same region where the legal killing (culling) of the internationally protected species, Carcharodon carcharias (great white sharks), has been legalised by Premier Colin Barnett after only seven attacks in a period of three years. Hawaii has double those numbers every year, to put things in perspective. They're not killing sharks. This is an internationally protected species on the IUCN red list, an apex predator with a critical environmental impact. And the knee jerk reaction was, let's kill it, as it will make us (politicians) feel better. There was quite a lot of outcry from the population for that decision. It will have zero impact on the attacks, too. Now this is not exactly a textbook example of excellence in conservation and environmental affairs, and by no means one other governing bodies should be following blindly. It just makes one wonder whether they didn't get some other things wrong too. And, if they got them right, do they still apply this side of the ocean? When considering the impact they will have on native parrots (mostly Poicephalus subspecies), I can not imagine it too big. Almost all these parrots currently reside in regions with very low numbers in humans. Their natural habitat has been destroyed so badly that they are mostly restricted to environmentally protected areas. And the IRN will, according to the studies, mostly populate cities. And me, living in one of the largest cities (top 3) in SA, can assure you there isn't hundreds of feral ringnecks flying around. In the 15 years I have stayed here, I have seen 2. And captured one that was redomesticated. The problem is not even a drop in the bucket compared to feral racing pigeons that are posing a much more severe risk to our indigenous kransduif (Speckled pigeon / Columba guinea), not to mention the hybridisation and transmutation.

I could go on and on, but at the end of the day, I would still not feel better about the situation.

We have thousands of feral ringnecks here in Germany (which derived from some escapers) and it is proven by scientists that they haven't any effect on the native wildlife and nature until now.

Could be read here: http://halsbandsittiche.papageien.org/

Peter, et al...


I can't believe what i'm reading...

If there is anything that we can do to help, just name it !

Someone to come up with a letter that we could all use to express our outrage on their proposal.
even one written by a proffesional, to have maximum effect.
Perhaps you should seek legal advice on how all of you should contest this draft would be a good idea.
Strong arguments and valid are needed to deter them from passing it.

I hope it's a bad dream or a mistake.

Lee my father of 72 has been breeding birds for over 50 years and ringnecks make up the bulk of his collection, sadly with the global economy his birds have become his only source of income and basically his only reason for getting up every morning to cut up fruit and veg and care for his beloved friends.

Not only is he kept fit and healthy with the daily exercise, his mind is kept active with the genetics and planning and plotting pairings to create new and wonderful looking birds.

I am certain if this draft legislation is passed into law that will be the end of my father as he will have nothing to live for anymore, so this top priority for me at this point in time.

LETS GET MOVING PEOPLE !

I encourage everyone on this forum to email the address above and say somthing about South African bred Ringnecks, that are exported and the quality of SA birds and the years worth of work that has gone into making South Africa one of the top countries in the world for ringneck mutations.

Or anything that you think would add weight to our arguments and cause.

Count me in, please please please forward me any info, petitions, whatever needs to be done. I am shocked to see this.

cbhmcmillan(at)hotmail.com or cbhmcmillan(at)gmail.com

Carmen

I am in.

I have registered my IRN and other species as a Bird Farming enterprise with a valid vat and tax number. I pay vat on all my sales and tax on all income. We import and pay import tax. I financially support my wife, my kids, one domestic worker and one farm worker from proceeds of this Bird
Farming. 80% of my bird income is generated through the sale of IRN's.

I realize that I am a small breeder but if this draft bill becomes law domestic and farm workers will lose their jobs and it will add pressure to the already huge % of unemployed middle and lower class in SA, not even to mention the loss in tax for the Government.

WE must put a stop to this idea

Tienie

Thanks to Wayne from birdtrader who will put out a notice today !

Hi,

This law has been applyed in Spain from 2-3 years ago and now breeders can not trade their birds and can not import new mutations. As a result most of them have moved to the breeding of other species and it has become almost impossible to find IRN in Spain.

Hope you will be able to stop this project of law in SA.

Recio

For those of you that aren't a member of the Parrot Breeder Association of Southern Africa (http://www.aviculturesa.co.za), I strongly urge you to reconsider whatever your reason was. Most people I speak to blame 'club politics', but club politics is nothing when compared to real politics. If you are serious about this, then you need to be part of a collective. I respect and appreciate the efforts to get people moving on this, but it will be through a united, recognised association that any type of impact will be made, the largest being the PVSA - PASA. Individuals has never been heard in this country (anyone remember that pesky thing called E-toll?). That will not change now. I've been on the phone most of the morning, and this is also not the first time that this proposal was voiced, and it was successfully fought in the past. But, by PVSA - PASA.

Further to this, if you are a member of any of the district clubs throughout the provinces, please bring this under the attention of your EXCO. My believe, once again, is that the greatest impact will be achieved if these clubs consolidate their lists of objections and signed by members, and pass it through to the PVSA - PASA, who can then consolidate once again and submit one hell of a complaint.

But don't let me deter you from sending individual letters as well. Flood and spam that email address. But, be respectful and factual, not emotional.

Also, let's work together on a list of the impact of this decision.

* Financial impact
- Bird farming enterprises
- Support laboratory facilities (Molecular Diagnostic Systems, Lumegen, Microbial Biochemical and Food Biotechnology at the University of FS, Onderstepoort, etc.)
- Aviculture specialist products (Avizandum, Goldwing, etc)
- Farming enterprises specialising in specialist aviculture product (millet types, buckweed, mana, etc.)
- Petshops
* Employment in above enterprises
* Social impact - who can imagine a country where it will be illegal to purchase a ringneck as a pet?
etc.

Finally, I have created an online petition opposing this proposal. You are welcome to sign it, and please also distribute this to members on your contact lists and clubs.
http://turnitaround.co.za/petition/peti ... wcNfXlRf1o

Can you send me a link to the legislation? I have not been able to find it (leon_zn@yahoo. com)

I personally feel that we as breeders need to be a lot more responsible in ensuring that our birds do not escape etc..
eg, there are large colonies of Ringneck in the Asherville, Pheonix, Chatsworth and Gateway area..

This is unexceptable..

These are invasive species and are breeding rapidly, sitting at the Palm Court at Gateway you can see all the fledgelings..

Don't get me wrong, I love my birds!!
but I think this wake up call is needed to control something that we are all passionate about <3

http://www.invasives.org.za/resources/d ... -2014.html.

leon chetty wrote:...
I personally feel that we as breeders need to be a lot more responsible in ensuring that our birds do not escape etc..
eg, there are large colonies of Ringneck in the Asherville, Pheonix, Chatsworth and Gateway area..

This is unexceptable..

...

I would like to point out and perhaps could be included as part of reasons NOT to pass this as law the following:

Colonies that are already established as Leon mentioned is DUE to Failure of the Department of Environmental Affairs !

As Johan said; They are looking at WA AU studies done on Ringnecks but their ACTION IS WRONG, they should implement PREVENTION with minimal impact that being: Capturing Ringnecks that are in the wild just like Austraians have done, read below:
http://www.invasives.org.za/resources/d ... ralia.html

They are willing to take the shortcut option of prevention DUE to their failure to capture / control any escaped ringnecks in the wild.

People's passion/bird farming/ incomes/ need not be distroyed because they fail to do their job, & fail to take timely Preventative action .

If they take into account the WA AU research they should also follow our preventative path or similar as Australia is doing successfully !

PVSA is gathering information from members to respond to Government, I revived an email from PVSA this morning and have responded.

PVSA are also gather information from all the SA ringneck exporters to further strengthen our augment.

I have also emailed Environmental Affairs and asked for them to provide me with the environmental impact study that they have conducted specific to ringnecks in South Africa as the only thing i could find was the Australian study on one of their sites (so it would appear that they have not done one).

I urge all SA breeders to join as the PVSA is open to all ringneck breeders.

Its time to band together to save our hobby, livelihood and passion.

Lee, you can contact the PVSA directly (details at http://www.aviculturesa.co.za/index.php/contact-us) to enquire about their plan of action. They have been aware of this longer than me. And go sign the petition already. You, and your family. And your extended family. And friends. And neighbours.

Peter, PVSA has never been a "by invitation only" organisation, unless I'm missing something. The old Ringneck breeder association used to be that way, though.

I have compiled a chain mail (oh, how I hate those) notifying people of the situation as well. The mail has also been sent to EXCO members of PVSA and some other clubs whose EXCO details I have available. So hopefully the PVSA will be able to use the results in the petition. Other than that, the only thing I can still ask is that people sign the petition. Then get your family and friends involved too, and use the petition page's "sharing" functionality to get it into twitter, facebook, etc. as well. And finally to send the details to your contact lists.

http://turnitaround.co.za/petition/peti ... wdERHlRf1r

leon chetty wrote:These are invasive species and are breeding rapidly, sitting at the Palm Court at Gateway you can see all the fledglings

How on earth can something that breeds once a year if you are lucky be breeding rapidly ???

lets get real !

Johan S wrote:Lee, you can contact the PVSA directly (details at http://www.aviculturesa.co.za/index.php/contact-us) to enquire about their plan of action. They have been aware of this longer than me. And go sign the petition already. You, and your family. And your extended family. And friends. And neighbours.

Peter, PVSA has never been a "by invitation only" organisation, unless I'm missing something. The old Ringneck breeder association used to be that way, though.

I have compiled a chain mail (oh, how I hate those) notifying people of the situation as well. The mail has also been sent to EXCO members of PVSA and some other clubs whose EXCO details I have available. So hopefully the PVSA will be able to use the results in the petition. Other than that, the only thing I can still ask is that people sign the petition. Then get your family and friends involved too, and use the petition page's "sharing" functionality to get it into twitter, facebook, etc. as well. And finally to send the details to your contact lists.

http://turnitaround.co.za/petition/peti ... wdERHlRf1r

Hi Johan,

the link to your petition isn't working any more. So what'S up with it?

thx madas

Looks like they didn't pay for their hosting. If it isn't resolved early next week, I'll have to start a new one.

Edit: The petition website seems to be up and running again.

Johan S wrote: Edit: The petition website seems to be up and running again.

signed

minnie wrote:http://www.invasives.org.za/resources/d ... -2014.html.

Can't dontload the PDF. Can someone provide me a copy please?

thx.

Madas Here

http://parakeet.me/irn/m/em/d/s/nemba_i ... b_2014.pdf

Zip version to download if problem viewing online.

http://parakeet.me/irn/m/em/d/s/nemba_i ... b_2014.zip

Thanks to everyone who have already signed the petition. We have hit the 150+ signatures mark. Apologies for being forward (but hey, you know me like that! ), but I would like many more. Imagine the social impact of this: you will not be able to purchase a ringneck chick as a pet anymore. Imagine how many people you know who's lives are enriched with a ringneck as a pet. These people are also influenced by this legislation, not only breeders. And therefore, they should also feel free to sign the petition. So feel free to send it to everybody on your contact list, not just breeders of mutations.

Update: I received an acknowledgement of receipt over one week ago WRT my request for the environmental impact study that the department should have done to enable them to put Ringneck's and Plumb Heads on this list. I yesterday queried why I have not received this impact study and that time is running out for me and my association to evaluate this impact study and respond accordingly.

Lets face the facts, NO impact study was done thus rending this whole Draft Bill invalid. Johan can any of your army draft something along these lines for submission to the department as I am completely swamped under at work at the moment ?

Response revived from Environmental Affairs 2013-03-04 (as I suspected no environmental impact study has been done):

From: Nomahlubi Sishuba [mailto:NSishuba@environment.gov.za]
Sent: 04 March 2014 10:26 AM
To: Peter Oeschger
Subject: Re: DRAFT Legislation (Notice 78 of 2014)

Good morning Peter

My apologies for the late response but we were busy consulting on this. Please find below feedback received from bird specialists. I hope this helps.

Briefly, the species is currently quite limited in range in SA - feral populations mainly in Gauteng and the greater Durban area, although there have been flocks as far north as Sodwana, and sightings of escapees from various other locations. Globally it is regarded as a pest species, with feral populations in the USA, much of Europe, middle East, Japan, Australia, etc. Populations in some regions are growing rapidly (currently 25% per year in the UK). There are several studies to assess impacts on native wildlife, with the main concerns being competition with hole-nesting species for nest sites, crop damage as well as disease vectors (avian influenza, Newcastle disease, avian chlamydiosis). There have been calls for attempts to control populations in the UK, and the British government is currently assessing impacts (see: http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx? ... ctID=16369)
For more info, you can also check the invasive species compendium:
http://www.cabi.org/isc/?compid=5&dsid= ... 1&site=144
Rose-ringed Parakeet populations are growing in Johannesburg (W of Sandton) and between Durban and Umhlanga/Ballito. During the 2011 Feral Parrot Survey we noted additional sightings of feral parakeets in Muizenberg (Cape Town) and Beacon bay (East London). The species is very successful in the urban environment and beyond potential impacts on local wildlife can cause damage to homes and businesses when seeking nesting and roosting sites in roofs. In Surrey (England) they cause significant damage to window and roof insulation, causing significant public outcry and persecution. The danger with this species is that population growth becomes near impossible to control once the parrots have established sustainable food resources for 12 months of the year.

Regards

Nomahlubi

Hi All
Anybody know what the latest is on this issue ?

Robert

John and I attended the PUBLIC STAKEHOLDER MEETING - 6 March, 2014 at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)

We all need to submit in writing to: NSishuba@environment.gov.za our objections.

* We need to request the Ringnnecks and Pulmheads be remover form the list or at the very minimum downgraded from 1b to a 2

This needs to happen before 12-03-2014

Guys

I have just sent a e-mail and it is real easy .

PLEASE make the effort

Robert

I have signed the petition and e-mailed Nomahlubi twice. I decided to google what else was on the invasive species proposal.

Here is the full comprehensive list:
www.gov.za/documents/download.php?f=209566

Just for a laugh, the Strelitzia is on that list- our national flower.
For all you fisherman, bass and rainbow trout is on that list.
Mussels, tiger prawns and a few other seafood items that 90% of the population love to eat are on that list.
Quite a few buck species for those hunters out there.
'indian mynas' are on that list, which is actually a myna and is not an invasive species to this country. They are much more a pest than IRN and plumheads.
Mosquitos are on that list(how the heck are they going to control that one??? )

Well, I really hope a lot of this gets chucked out the window. There are a lot of bored people out there who would just like to put the spanner in the works.

Hi
Agreed that this is a joke with regard to the species that been put on the list and a lot of time and money can be spent on serious issues like rhino poaching as they are on the brink of EXTINCTRION but as a matter of urgency has anybody received any feedback for the minister ?

I have also sent my letter of objection. It turned into a bit of an essay. Hope they read it...

And I encourage everybody to write their own letter, esp. if you can add a personal story of how these birds influence your life and living situation.

Good Morning All, Today is the last day for submissions, Please also address all emails to:

The Deputy Director-General
Environmental Affairs
Environmental Programmes
Attention: Dr Guy Preston

NSishuba@environment.gov.za

Lets remember this is government and they need to know where to route our requests to.

Also no derogatory remarks or foul language please.

So after all is said and done, today is D-Day. Anyone know what time the verdict will be out?

Hi All

Some good news. the date was extend to the 8 April and this is subject to all meetings concluded in all Major Cities throughout RSA.

A request to all Breeders, hobbiest , importers and exporters. if you are invited to any of these meetings, please keep your cool and do not aggrevate the situation by threating the Dept in anyway,
comments such as ( we will release our birds into the wild, we wont to be refunded, we wont allow you to do this, you guys are st..p..d, you guys are this and that).

They are willing to listen to us, are open to suggestions and they most important need any and every supporting documentation that indicate and prove that the MUTATIONS bred are not as robust as the wild specimen.

I kindly request each and every breeder e-mail the minister with his/her comments and concerns and request a general meeting even if its a one on one to clear the uncertainty and the grey areas.

All the best to everyone and hope we have everyones loyal support in this regard

Taliep

Thanks Taliep

The feedback is welcome and refreshing .(At least they are willing to listen to us)

Do you know how they are going to arrange the meetings with breeders ?

Also is the goverment going to send a rep to all major citys or are the going to go to larger towns as well ?

Please anyone if you know when the are in the Eastrand area .Give me a shout

Regards
Robert

Robert

they are responding to all emails and telephonically contact some of the affected/concerned citizens throughout RSA. When doing this they, ask loads off questions and also ask for some more contact details of all and everyone that you know of. this is the way and means they can make contact to send out the invites for the various scheduled meetings.

Will keep everyone posted about the meeting scheduled for the WESTERN CAPE.

Taliep

Thanks taliep

A meeting is scheduled with the minister for next week with the Parrot Breeders Association of Southern Africa & The Asiatica Parakeet and Parrot Mutation Breeders Association. We are making positive progress, no feedback could be given as we had to meet today to discuss the way forward. I will keep all informed as progress is made.

Mr Oeschger.

When and where scheduled for?

Hey Bud, The Minister requested the meeting with the Parrot Breeders Association of Southern Africa & The Asiatica Parakeet and Parrot Mutation Breeders Association, it will be at her office in Cape Town.

Thanks Boet will be in contact with my source at the Dept on monday and get more info regarding dates and time

I'm gong to share this via facebook with roughly 8000 IRN lovers. Give me any information, links, etc...I'll start reporting this information via IndainRingneck.com and throughout all my social media channels...does anyone have a google doc account? I'm going to draft a report..perhaps we can all come and edit the document before I make it live via facebook. Who's in?

Best Wishes,

IMRAN-C

Imma start doing some research..ok!?

sorted

Most certainly in

Hi All,

Some good news for a change, I looks like we have won the battle with Environmental Affairs but you know what they say "it ain't over till its over"

We have managed to get Plumb Heads removed from the list altogether.

Wild type ringnecks will remain 1b on the list and will need to be eradicated (so wild plain green ringnecks, keep in mind that green split blue qualifies as a mutation)

Mutated ringnecks (everything we own) will be moved to level 2 on the list and will require a permit to keep.

We won this war by pointing out that Green Wild Type ringnecks are the ones in the wild and that the mutations that we breed are weaker and would not survive in the wild.

So going forward we would need is to be a registered breeder get a permit to keep, breed and export and to ensure that all ALL birds are rung.

More details to follow !

"killing two birds with one stone so to speak"

That's Great News !!

Well done to everyone.
I think that's a great result in the long run.