Migratory Bird Treaty
 United States stamp commemorating the treaty | |
| Type | Bird conservation |
|---|---|
| Signed | 16 August 1916 |
| Location | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Effective | 7 December 1916 |
| Parties | |
| Language | English |
The Migratory Bird Treaty or Convention is an
Whereas, many species of birds in the course of their annual migrations traverse certain parts of the Dominion of Canada and the United States; and
Whereas, many of these species are of great value as a source of food or in destroying insects which are injurious to forests and forage plants on the public domain, as well as to agricultural crops, in both Canada and the United States, but are nevertheless in danger of extermination through lack of adequate protection during the nesting season or while on their way to and from their breeding grounds;
His Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British dominions beyond the seas, Emperor of India, and the United States of America, being desirous of saving from indiscriminate slaughter and of insuring the preservation of such migratory birds as are either useful to man or are harmless, have resolved to adopt some uniform system of protection which shall effectively accomplish such objects ...[1]
Implementation
This treaty led to important environmental legislation being passed in each of the two countries in order to implement the terms of the treaty.
Implementation in Canada
The Migratory Birds Convention Act (also MBCA) is a Canadian law established in 1917 and significantly updated in June 1994 which contains regulations to protect migratory birds, their eggs, and their nests from hunting, trafficking and commercialization. A permit is required to engage in any of these activities.[2] One major outcome of the act was the creation of Federal Migratory Bird Sanctuaries (MBSs).
Implementation in the United States
Under
The statute is broken down into ten sections, 703 through 712 (16 U.S.C. 703 through 712). Note that § 709 is omitted, but § 709a Authorization of appropriations is included and active, making eleven listed sections (including § 709 Omitted).
See also
References
- ^ "Canada Treaty Information - View Treaty". Archived from the original on 2011-10-03. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
- ^ "Biodiversity Conservation in Canada". Archived from the original on 2008-03-14. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
- ^ George Cameron Coggins, and Sebastian T. Patti. "The Resurrection and Expansion of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act." U. Colorado Law Review 50 (1978): 165+.