[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 50, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 50CFR15.26]

[Page 83-85]
 
                    TITLE 50--WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
 
 CHAPTER I--UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE 
                                INTERIOR
 
PART 15--WILD BIRD CONSERVATION ACT--Table of Contents
 
    Subpart C--Permits and Approval of Cooperative Breeding Programs
 
Sec. 15.26  Approval of cooperative breeding programs.

    Upon receipt of a complete application, the Director may approve 
cooperative breeding programs. Such approval will allow individuals to 
import exotic birds otherwise prohibited by section 15.11, with permits 
under section 15.24. Such approval for cooperative breeding programs 
shall be granted in accordance with the issuance criteria of this 
section.
    (a) Application requirements for approval of cooperative breeding 
programs. Each application shall provide the following information and 
such other information that the Director may require:
    (1) A description of the exotic bird(s) to be imported or to be 
covered under the program, including the common and scientific names of 
the species, number, sex ratio (if applicable), and age class;
    (2) A statement of the reasons the applicant is justified in 
obtaining this approval, and a description of the cooperative breeding 
program requested for the exotic bird species, including:

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    (i) A breeding protocol, including a genetic management plan and 
breeding methods;
    (ii) A statement on the plans for developing and maintaining a self-
sustaining population in captivity of the exotic bird species;
    (iii) Details on the system of recordkeeping and tracking of birds 
and their progeny, including how individual specimens will be marked or 
otherwise identified;
    (iv) A statement on the relationship of such a breeding program to 
the conservation of the exotic bird species in the world;
    (v) Details on the funding of this program; and
    (vi) Plans for disposition of the exotic birds and any progeny;
    (3) A qualification statement for each individual who will be 
overseeing the cooperative breeding program. This statement should 
include information on the individual's prior experience with the same 
or similar bird species. Individuals overseeing the program will be 
required to demonstrate an affiliation with an avicultural, 
conservation, or zoological organization;
    (4) A statement of the oversight of the program by the avicultural, 
zoological, or conservation organization, including their monitoring of 
participation in the program, criteria for acceptance of individuals 
into the program, and the relationship of the cooperative breeding 
program to enhancing the propagation and survival of the species; and
    (5) A history of the cooperative breeding program, including an 
annual report for the last 3 years (if applicable), mortality records, 
breeding records, and a studbook if one has been developed for the 
species.
    (b) Issuance criteria. Upon receiving an application completed in 
accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, the Director will decide 
whether or not a cooperative breeding program should be approved. In 
making this decision, the Director shall consider, in addition to the 
general criteria in part 13 of this subchapter, the following factors:
    (1) Whether the cooperative breeding program for which the approval 
is requested is adequate to justify removing the exotic bird from the 
wild or otherwise changing its status;
    (2) Whether the granting of this approval would be detrimental to 
the survival of the exotic bird species in the wild, including whether 
the exotic birds were bred in captivity or will be taken from the wild, 
taking into consideration the conservation status of the species in the 
wild;
    (3) Whether the granting of this approval would conflict with any 
known program intended to enhance the survival of the population from 
which the exotic bird species was or would be removed;
    (4) Whether the cooperative breeding program for which the permit is 
requested would be likely to enhance or promote the conservation of the 
exotic bird species in the wild or result in a self-sustaining 
population of the exotic bird species in captivity; and
    (5) Whether the expertise or other resources available to the 
program appear adequate to successfully accomplish the objectives stated 
in the application.
    (c) Publication in the Federal Register. The Director shall publish 
notice in the Federal Register of each application submitted under 
Sec. 15.26(a). Each notice shall invite the submission from interested 
parties of written data, views, or arguments with respect to the 
application. The Director shall publish periodically a notice as 
appropriate in the Federal Register of the list of approved cooperative 
breeding programs.
    (d) Approval conditions. In addition to the general conditions set 
forth in part 13 of this subchapter, every approval issued under this 
paragraph shall be subject to the special condition that the cooperative 
breeding program shall maintain records of all birds imported under 
permits issued under this subpart and their progeny, including their 
sale or transfer, death, or escape, and breeding success. These records 
shall be made available to the Service on request and when renewing an 
approval.
    (e) Duration of approval. Cooperative breeding programs shall be 
approved for two years, at which time applicants may apply to the 
Service for renewal of a program's approval. Applications for

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renewal of approval shall comply with the general conditions set forth 
in part 13 of this subchapter.