Bird breeders in Surat Thani oppose draft bill on wildlife protection

Groups of foreign bird and swallow breeders in Surat Thani have submitted a letter to the Damrongtham Center, expressing their opposition to a new draft law on wildlife preservation and protection as it affects their livelihoods.

Representing foreign bird breeders in the province, Prinya Sapperm said the new law forbids the possession of and trading in wild animals that are not native to Thailand unless permitted by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

He said the new regulations would violate breeders’ rights, adding that the importation of foreign birds was lawful in the past.

A representative of swallow nest producers and traders, Somchai Thongsang, said the laws would directly affect the swallow breeding business which generates billions of baht in revenue from the sale of birds’ nests each year.

If the new wildlife preservation and protection law is enforced, the breeders could face a fine of up to 2 million baht and a 10-year prison sentence.

Damrongtham Center of Surat Thani Deputy Chief Pichit Tubanterng said he would forward the letter to the provincial governor for consideration.

NNT

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