|
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Wildlife trade not spreading disease: DENR
The protected area and wildlife section of the environment department assured there have been no reports of any illness related to the buying and selling of animals in the region.
The agency gave the assurance as a New York-based international wildlife conservation group released a study linking wildlife trade with the spread of infectious diseases.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) released a study that states controlling movements of wildlife in markets is an effective way to prevent the spread of diseases like Sars and influenza.
The WCS study, published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, stated the need to focus on regulating wildlife markets, because this is the most cost-effective way to prevent the risks of diseases on humans, domestic animals, wildlife and ecosystem.
It said pathogens, including commonly benign microbes that wild animals carry, are sometimes transmitted to other species, including humans, by hunters, traders and consumers.
Since 1980, the study noted that at least 35 new infectious diseases, including HIV and the Ebola virus, have infected humans. Apart from people, transmission of wildlife-borne pathogens also occur in domestic animals that do not have resistance to the disease.
Certificate
The study cited a fungal disease called chytridio-mycosis, a pathogen that was spread by the international trade of African clawed frogs.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 ecosystems specialist Reynaldo Yray said these diseases do not exist in the country.
He said there are 462 wildlife and animal traders in Central Visayas, including vendors on the sidewalk on Escario St., Cebu City.
He said those who hold a certificate of wildlife registration (CWR) issued by the DENR can possess and trade wildlife species, even those classified as threatened or endangered.
Despite calls for stronger regulations on wildlife trade, it is relatively easy to secure a CWR from the DENR.
Fees
In the DENR website, an applicant for CWR need only to fill up an application form and pay the registration fee.
Under DENR Administrative Order 62, CWR applicants who trade or possess non-threatened species have to pay a registration fee ranging from P500 (for 51 to 100 animals) to P1,000 (for 201 heads and more). Those who own or trade not more than 50 heads of non-threatened species pay only the minimum fee of P50.
Those who own or want to trade threatened species pay a fee ranging from P3,000 to P7,000. Applicants who own critically endangered species, on the other hand, pay a registration fee of P5,000 per animal.
Yray said there is no need to inspect the facilities of applicants or CWR holders, unless somebody complains later that they are violating provisions of the Animal Welfare Act. (LAP)
(July 9, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
