It is strictly regulated.
Feather collection in Colombia is permitted only under strict environmental and wildlife protection laws, primarily governed by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible, MADS) and the National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA). Violations can result in severe penalties, including fines up to 10,000 minimum legal monthly wages (SMMLV) and imprisonment under the 2026 Environmental Code updates. Indigenous communities retain exclusive rights to feathers under Law 2111 of 2021, further complicating legal access.
Key Regulations for Collecting Feathers in Colombia
- Wildlife Protection: Under Decree 1076 of 2015 (Unified Environmental Decree) and Resolution 1912 of 2017, collecting feathers from native or migratory bird species is prohibited without prior permits from MADS or ANLA. Endangered species listed in CITES Appendix I or II require additional international permits.
- Indigenous Rights: Law 2111 of 2021 recognizes indigenous territorial autonomy, granting exclusive rights to feathers within their reserves. Non-indigenous collectors must secure written consent from local authorities and comply with Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) protocols.
- Commercial Restrictions: Selling feathers from wild birds is illegal under Article 328 of the Penal Code (Law 599 of 2000), with exceptions for legally obtained farmed ostrich or peacock feathers under sanitary permits from the National Institute of Food and Drug Surveillance (INVIMA).