Enforce regulation of the live animal trade. Guyana's wildlife trade, especially in primates, parrots, and macaws is poorly monitored and regulated. Anecdotal reports of highly predatory collection and trade in live animals are common. This inherently unsustainable activity may provide significant short-term employment for Amerindian collectors, and it certainly generates large profits for a handful of traders and exporters, as well as importers and retailers abroad, but it does lasting damage to the forest environment as local populations of species that disperse seeds decline. Unless this trade can be adequately regulated and monitored, with quotas based on scientific research, then it should be again prohibited, as it was in Guyana earlier in this decade.
Priorities Develop non-wood forest products.
Research on the population, biology, ecology, and management potential of these species to reduce any negative environmental effects of harvesting. Preliminary investigation of the potential for increasing supply and developing markets for these products. The diversification of markets for these products to reduce risk of commercial failure. Development of an information and data base accessible to communities and entrepreneurs or would-be investors. The formation of associations of producers of the various products to market more effectively and realize economies of scale.