Muscovey Permit and Regulation Update

I have received a few questions about the Muscovy duck issue and permit regulations in the U.S. I have been keeping track of what is going before the implementation date of the new regulation, since we raise our own Muscovy ducks for meat and eggs.

At this time the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is in the process of reformatting their permit regulations that became effective March 31, 2010 for the List of Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It seems they really did not realize the extent of the market for Muscovy duck meat. They are genuinely concerned with how invasive the species is in the southern states.

Lets put this in easy terms. Thanks to an article in this months Back Yard Poultry, I have the answer and actually understood what they are explaining. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did not realize the huge market for Poultry Farmers raising domestic Muscovy's as meat or show birds. Most farmers do not know Muscovy is an invasive species to the U.S.The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service does not read Back Yard Poultry and most farmers do not read the Federal Register.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will not administer the new permits or enforce their new regulations. They plan to amend those regulations in the very near future. Legally we can raise and sell our Muscovy's without any issue, at this time.

If any one has more questions about this issue I can scan and send the article from Back Yard Poultry to you. They have a very good question and answer section to help explain the issue.