The past two decades have seen a rapid growth in the trade in the edible-nests of swiftlets (mainly Aerodramus spp., Apodidae: Collocaliini) attributable largely to rising demand from increasingly prosperous consumers in mainland China. At least four species of swiftlets that build edible-nests have entered into this trade, occuring in mainland and insular Southeast Asia. Throughout the region, (semi-)domestication of white-nest birds has taken place through the construction of special buildings aimed at attracting these swiftlets to enter and construct their precious nests inside, while feeding outside on the natural resource of aerial insects.This panel brings together a multidisciplinary team of researchers who seek to come to terms with economic, genetic, environmental, and social impacts of the development of the nest trade and the phylogeny and sustainable management of the ‘house-farmed’ birds themselves. The transnational nature of production, trade and consumption constitutes the framework of our economic analyses. The ecological aspects come to the dispersal and hybridization of growing populations of house-farm birds on the available natural resources. , particularly the population of aerial insects, already threatened by other developments including the expanding substitution of native forest vegetation by agricultural tree crops, especially oil palm. Social impacts concern the regulation of trade in the nests as a food, rather than a natural medical material, and the attitude of the Peoples Republic of China in negotiating new and appropriate standards. Also important is swiftlet-human cohabitation through a consideration of urban legislation for swiftlet farming.
Organiser:
Laurens Bakker
University of Amsterdam
l.g.h.bakker@uva.nl
Chair:
Laurens Bakker
University of Amsterdam
l.g.h.bakker@uva.nl
Discussant:
Craig Thorburn
Monash University
Craig.Thorburn@monash.edu
