New ban of non-native birds 2023

Hi everyone,

Although I highly agree with the new animal welfare legislation, it's been a long time coming... I've got issues with the blanket ban on all non-native parrots. Just to be clear, I am solely a pet owner of 2 male small parrots (different species) which are not on the previous ban list of 2007 to 2022).  I am not a breeder or pet store owner.  I agree there are serious issues with Monks and Ringnecks but this problem started in the 70s when some of these birds escaped or were let go - nobody knows for sure. The Government should have dealt with this problem then and not 50 years later when the birds have bred out of control (I wouldn't want to live downtown Madrid either).  So now even if you have a little beloved budgie, you may have a problem down the road.

At this time, the new legislation covers all birds, which are not native to Spain.  The government, from what I understand, has 48 months to prepare a detailed list of specific bird breeds or entirety to be banned from the country.  Will the birds already in Spain be grand-fathered in to the legislation?  I wish I had all the answers.

Does anyone know of a PARROT CLUB within the Valèncian Community or Spain in general? I will keep looking or start one myself.  Just think of how many pet birds may be destroyed or actually let go because the owners can't rehome them in another country?  This would be an even worse problem; or try to give the bird up to a shelter, which they can't rehome. I'm not sure the politicians really thought this legislation through or just don't care.  General election is coming up and the ban might appease the population in larger cities, not thinking of the pet bird owner population in said cities.  I'm all for licensing my birds even to microchip them like my dogs.  I wonder if anyone thought of this? Let me know.

Finally, to all the pet bird parents out there, please feel free to contact me so we can have a voice against the prosecution of innocent birds. If you work in a shelter or veterinarian clinic, please contact me so we may discuss this matter further.

Thanks to all.

Julie

Cullera, València