The Parrot breeders Association of South Africa (PASA) represents 34 bird/parrot breeding clubs as well as several hundred non-club affiliated members. As the umbrella association representing the vast majority of parrot breeders it is recognized by the South African Government and more specifically the Department of Environmental Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the various Provincial Departments as the representative body for the organized parrot breeding industry.
With the up listing of Psittacula krameri (Rose-ringed parakeets) to category 2 of the national invasive bird species listing, PASA negotiated a permit in the name of PASA for its members that meet the requirements of the DEFF permit. Such members who choose to keep, breed, trade and transport rose-ringed parakeets under this permit are subject to an inspection of facilities to ensure that they meet the requirements of the permit, by designated PASA inspectors instead of DEFF inspectors. The member must comply with all criteria of the permit as with any other permit holder with the advantage that PASA is the administrative center for data capture and processing. We in turn report the activities of PASA members directly to DEFF.
PASA allocates a sub-number and certificate of compliance to the DEFF permit to its members, which is used in conjunction with the PASA permit for all official purposes. The DEFF is entitled to and do inspect PASA members using the PASA permit to ensure compliance. We are in regular consultation with DEFF to ensure the effective management of this and other invasive species.
Non-compliance with the permit conditions cannot be allowed and PASA have to report non-compliance to DEFF.
One of the conditions of the permit is that the aviaries where the birds are kept must be of a specific quality to prevent escape. We also undertook to assist in eradicating the feral population that is spreading in South Africa. In this regard we encourage our members to catch any feral birds, prevent them from breeding on our properties, report on the feral population and take steps to eradicate same.
This is a good example of an industry representative organization applying self-regulation, taking responsibility for its industry, co-operating with and lightening the burden on government (in this case DEFF) and adding value to its membership.