Wildlife trade and conservation
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The Department established the Exotic Birdkeepers Advisory Group in April 2006 and hosted seven advisory group meetings. The advisory group represented the interests of bird keepers, breeders, brokers and other people who trade in exotic birds. The advisory group provided advice to the Department on a number of important issues that affect the exotic bird keeping sector, including how to demonstrate ownership of exotic birds, how exotic birds are classified, how to reduce trade in illegal exotic birds, and how legislation is enforced. EBAG was closely involved in the design of the new record keeping scheme for exotic birds, announced in October 2007.
A workshop was convened by the Australian Government on 9 December 2005 involving stakeholders in the exotic bird industry in Australia. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss a range of issues affecting the exotic bird keeping sector relating to the regulation of exotic birds under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The focus was on how to demonstrate legal ownership of exotic birds, and the role of the Commonwealth in enforcing legislation.
In this forum it was made clear that the Australian Government was not contemplating a return to the National Exotic Bird Registration Scheme (NEBRS) which operated from 1996 to 2002 and that alternatives would need to be developed and considered, including industry managed schemes or schemes reliant on individuals keeping standard records.
A major outcome of the workshop was agreement to establish an Exotic Bird Advisory Group to provide an industry focus, advice and industry guidance on key issues affecting the exotic bird keeping sector.
Priorities for the Advisory Group identified at the workshop were:
The Department invited nominations for membership of the advisory group. Between December 2005 and February 2006 nominations were broadly canvassed by relevant associations and individuals with interests in the exotic bird industry. Twenty one nominations were received. In finalising the initial membership of the advisory group, the Department considered representation that was most likely to be successful in enhancing the development of the industry and which would actively represent the diverse range of stakeholders. Active involvement of nominees in relevant issues was a major factor in selecting membership.
| Member | Representation |
| Chris Claydon | Representing Brokers and Aviculturists |
| Barbara Devnie (ABA) | Representing Associations |
| Nick Gascoigne (Spokesperson and Secretariat) | Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts |
| Peter Gowland | Representing Commercial Aviculturists |
| Brian Reichelt | Representing Aviculturists |
| Kerry Smith (Chair) | Representing the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts |
| Stewart Williamson (AFA) | Representing Associations |
The terms of reference were agreed at the inaugural meeting of the Exotic Birdkeepers Advisory Group on 6 April 2006 in Canberra.
The Exotic Birdkeepers Advisory Group met seven times between April 2006 and May 2007.
Following each meeting of the Exotic Birdkeepers Advisory Group key discussion papers were circulated for public comment.
