I don't beleive it!

[fatma]

Last week I went to the pet store. I thought I would buy a parakeet. Here in kuwait they are usually 6$. But this time it was different....I was shoked . The one parakeet was 36$..I don't beleive that. I asked: why ? They told me that importing birds is not allawed these monthes because of the bird flu...
Is it the same thing in other countries ??? or not???

[FeatherLover]

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US, "There is currently a ban on the importation of birds and bird products from H5N1-affected countries in Asia and Europe. The regulation states that no person may import or attempt to import any birds (Class Aves), whether dead or alive, or any products derived from birds (including hatching eggs), from the following countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, People's Republic of China, Romania, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, and Vietnam (current as of December 29, 2005)." (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/qa.htm)

Because the US breeds so many birds, there has not been an increase (that I have noticed) in cost. I'm not sure about elsewhere.

[Xavier]

I've noticed a de-crease in price!

I know over here at my local Petland, they had a "sale" on budgies... one for $10! Normally they're $40 or so... sure suprised me, especially after reading this!

I wonder what's going on?

[poi_lover]

In Kuwait, they must normally get their budgies by importing them. In the U.S., they do not import them. Our budgies are bred here in the U.S. They are not imported, therefore, the price isn't going up here like it is in other countries. I'm sure this applies to other birds in other countries as well.

[Xavier]

Well I live in Canada, not the US, so I was wondering if it were any different here. Probably not, because I know at least five budgie breeders in my area.

[poi_lover]

Doh! That's right. I forgot you are in Canada!

[Tiki]

Fatma, back in the late 90's, I used to see lots of birds in Souk Al Juma, do they still have them there?

[fatma]

Yes, they are still there. Also there is more new birds store is many other areas. But souk al-juma is the biggest one.....