Publications

13. Cross-jurisdictional Impediments and Legislation

Everyone has the responsibility to obtain approval to transport birds and samples across State borders. There are State import and export requirements for movement of birds (captive or wild) across State borders. This is not an EBPC requirement.

The NSW State Government can now licence institutions, not individuals for interstate movement of birds or samples. There is now no need for Institution to Institution (eg Taroona to a Museum or University) licencing for movement of birds.

In some cases, a Recovery Plan may have to register certain operations or the management of the birds with a State-legislated Animal Ethics Committee. The following web sites are representative of either legislation or position statements on captive birds:

• The National Consultative Committee on Animal Welfare (NCCAW) This is a non-statutory body established by the then Minister for Primary Industries and Energy in 1989. Read the position statements
• Code of Practice for the Welfare of Captive Birds in the A.C.T This Code of Practice for the Australian Capital Territory has been prepared from a consideration of the welfare of birds held in captivity. Its purpose is to provide general guidelines on the minimum standards of accommodation, management and care that are appropriate to the various species of captive birds.
• National Guidelines for the Housing of Caged Birds This code has been prepared by NCCAW from a consideration of the welfare of cage birds held in captivity. Its purpose is to provide general guidelines on the minimum standards of accommodation, management and care that are appropriate to the various species of cage birds. These guidelines will be considered for adoption at their April 2006 meeting.
• Animal Welfare Documents Under the Australian Constitution, state and territory governments have primary responsibility for animal welfare within Australia. Each state and territory government has laws to prevent cruelty and to promote the welfare of animals by legislating standards for their care and treatment. Most states and territories have incorporated the Australian model codes of practice for the welfare of animals under their jurisdiction's 'Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' legislation. The Australian (Federal) Government has responsibility for trade and international agreements.
• Pest Bird Control Prepared by the National Consultative Committee on Animal Welfare, this is a position statement that recognises there are some species or groups of birds that may cause agricultural damage and/or other problems.
• Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• RSPCA Policy on Companion Animals. This document describes the Housing of Pet Birds.
• Victorian Code of Practice for the Housing of Caged Birds
• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
• Guidelines use of wild birds in research
  
• IATA Live animal regulations
• IATA Live animals transport by air
• Air Transport of Animals (AFFA)
• Animal Ethics Infolink - Wildlife Research
• Licenses to Transport Animals into and out of NSW
• World Organisation for Animal Health
• CITES