What's in the issue

More DEFRA dominance this week: reader reaction to their latest restrictive regs, a template letter to the Secretary of State penned by the chairman of the Parrot Society, an invitation to a meeting with DEFRA (wow!) to the NCA and others, and a clarification on the new licences (they're still randomly weird.) Oh, yes, and we test out the 5-Pet Rule on imports, which some fanciers reckon is a way round the livestock regs. On saner ground, we consider the science behind birds' liking for seeds (including fruit) and realise how critical birds are in pollinating and dispersing countless species of plants. We meet two stalwarts of, respectively, the canary and budgerigar fancies; learn how parrot experts are working to save an endangered cockatoo; and find out what to call "town" pigeons (not town pigeons, by the way!) Plus news, listings and reader photos.