ORGANIZATION OF PROFESSIONAL AVICULTURISTS, INC., et al. v. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida dismissed a lawsuit brought by exotic bird enthusiasts challenging the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s denial of their petitions to allow imports of two parrot species, ruling the Wild Exotic Bird Conservation Act barred their requested actions. U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams ruled that the Organization of Professional Aviculturists, Inc. and the Lineolated Parakeet Society successfully established standing for the challenge, but ultimately concluded that the groups misinterpreted the language of the Wild Exotic Bird Conservation Act.
[To accompany Case Law Update "Federal Court Holds FWS Correctly Denied Parrot Import Requests by Aviculture Groups” from Brooks Animal Law Digest Issue No. 194]