Cage & Aviary Birds Magazine No.5782 Bring back the Bishops Vorige editie

IN 2006, THE world changed for keepers of foreign birds when the European Union banned the import of wild-caught stock. It was like a tap being turned off. Ever since, debate has raged about whether, and how
much, the tap might be turned back on. No responsible fancier I have talked to has called for the trade to resume unchecked, at full volume. (Just as well, because there’s no chance.) Many, however, believe there’s a case for responsibly managed quotas, and on page 16 John Courteney-Smith argues such a case. I won’t steal John’s thunder, except to say that he cites the growth in the black market as one reason to resume legal trade. Now, anecdotally, I’ve heard about various illegal bird-conduits into the EU, and I’d like to learn more so as to have a more informed view of the whole subject. So if you have any first-hand
(as opposed to anecdotal) information you could share in confidence, drop me an email. ■ And talking of RFIs, if anyone has any experience of keeping the Syrian serin (Serinus syriacus), I’d like to hear from you – just out of personal interest in this beautiful, rare little seedeater. ■ We’re currently in the tightest bit of the Club News bottleneck, with a wealth of excellent illustrated show reports queueing up to be published. At this time of year it can take a month or two before a report appears. We
always aim to include them in the order that we get them. As ever, your patience is appreciated – thank you! ■ If you’re spending time with your birds this Christmas, why not send in a few snaps for our regular Readers’
Gallery feature? Photos with a wintery theme are especially welcome. Email: birds.general@kelsey.co.uk ■ Ed’s Ad of the Week: “GENT’S
ELECTRIC BIKE. Swap for foreign birds.” Can you wait to turn to page 29? Enjoy your birds (and bikes) this week!