In following the rarest birds thread. I am wondering why the aforementioned question happened. Lots of the birds that are "rare" here are readily available in the states. Never realized that.
Was it a group of people that were screaming over one issue or another, that brought about the band? Regards
Why was importing and exporting birds banned????
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wagga
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- Location: PORT MACQUARIE NSW
Type in 'importation ban' in the Search bar at the top right of page and found this excellent response to a similar question asked previously.
Topic Lavender finches on page 4
As I type this down I suddenly free all patriotic and should stand salute the AUSTRALIA flag and say out aloud AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI.
Topic Lavender finches on page 4
To help you place this into prospective people need to remember that Australia is an island continent and due to this very fact MOST diseases, pest, weeds etc found throught out the world are not here. This places Australia in a unique and strong trading position to export disease free, non contaminated organic produce and the list goes on..... to all countries in need of our clean produce/goods/minerals/manufactured products. Thus, we all need and should vigorously defend our shores from all hazards, visible and not visible, to protect the present status quo from now into the future.Castaneothorax wrote: In general importing was banned since 1960 (apart from NZ) in a blanket ban. In v late 1980s/90s this was updated. This brought together at least 4 laws, so there was a bit of confusion. Domestic animal & animal welfare, importation (pest, weed but also disease), Impact legis, & wildlife protection laws. The result was EPBC Act 1999, but it started before then. But before then were some weird inconsistencies which had to be resolved, some eg being fish werent classified as animals, plants could be imported but not animals. Aquarium fish had been wild caught for ages.
From my recollection, budgies and pigeons initially got through quickly because they were 'domestic' animals, & exempt'' from 'wildlife' leg. But afterwards a crackdown on importing birds & creation of 'strategic' risk assessments ocurred. Which covered much broader issues like animal welfare, sourcing, pest risk (which almost all finches then failed on) and disease risk (which parrots failed on). Note this was also the time when Newcastle disease hit Australia.
As I type this down I suddenly free all patriotic and should stand salute the AUSTRALIA flag and say out aloud AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI.
Life in Port Macquarie is the ultimate Aussie sea change lifestyle.
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Myzomela
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That is a policy statement by the Australian Veterinary Association, nothing more.
Whether native birds can be exported is a federal government issue and the current policy does not allow export of native birds (except between zoos and some individual pet birds). Recent discussions suggest that this is non-negotiable and unlikely to change in the near future.
Banning importation of birds occurred for 2 main reasons 1) to stop accidental introduction of diseases which may adversely affect the poultry industry and our wild parrots. 2) To stop the introduction of species which may become feral pests if they were to escape into the wild.
Remember, unlike the US, Australia has a diverse and unique population of parrots and finches which theoretically could be threatened by the introduction of foreign birds.
Against this background is a whole raft of hypocritical and contradictory factors which render the above arguments irrelevant in today's world. These have been discussed previously in other threads.
Many of the finch species available in the US but not in Australia are still wild-caught imports e.g. red bishop and orange weavers, all whydahs, orange cheeked waxbills etc etc.
Even if we were allowed to import again, all birds would have to be captive bred- hence their pest potential would be greatly reduced- again another discussion.
Hope this gives you some idea of the factors involved.
Whether native birds can be exported is a federal government issue and the current policy does not allow export of native birds (except between zoos and some individual pet birds). Recent discussions suggest that this is non-negotiable and unlikely to change in the near future.
Banning importation of birds occurred for 2 main reasons 1) to stop accidental introduction of diseases which may adversely affect the poultry industry and our wild parrots. 2) To stop the introduction of species which may become feral pests if they were to escape into the wild.
Remember, unlike the US, Australia has a diverse and unique population of parrots and finches which theoretically could be threatened by the introduction of foreign birds.
Against this background is a whole raft of hypocritical and contradictory factors which render the above arguments irrelevant in today's world. These have been discussed previously in other threads.
Many of the finch species available in the US but not in Australia are still wild-caught imports e.g. red bishop and orange weavers, all whydahs, orange cheeked waxbills etc etc.
Even if we were allowed to import again, all birds would have to be captive bred- hence their pest potential would be greatly reduced- again another discussion.
Hope this gives you some idea of the factors involved.
Research; evaluate;observe;act
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BluJay
Thank you very much Myzomela, and everyone. This helps broaden my understanding not only on this question, but an array of opinions that are advocated and defended adimently, and at times venomously. Kind regards
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SamDavis
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I live in hope that one day in the not too far distant future shipments of tanagers, widow birds, twinspots and others will legally arrive onto our shores. Why do I live in hope? Because on this issue "the force" is strong and will endure! 
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arthur
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Why was importing and exporting birds banned????
Without getting too far off topic
. .
Why is importing birds (legally available in other states of Australia) banned (in Qld)????
I see this as a more easily winnable objective, than the taboo on exotics, and a completely morally wrong situation,
Tanagers, Whydahs, etc . .
Yes we,d love some . .
But aviary bred Regent Bowerbirds, Crimson (et al) Chats, etc, etc . . would be OK in the interim
Where is the emoticon for "banging the same old drum'
Up here the spirit is willing, but the flesh is getting weaker
Without getting too far off topic
. .Why is importing birds (legally available in other states of Australia) banned (in Qld)????
I see this as a more easily winnable objective, than the taboo on exotics, and a completely morally wrong situation,
Tanagers, Whydahs, etc . .
Yes we,d love some . .
But aviary bred Regent Bowerbirds, Crimson (et al) Chats, etc, etc . . would be OK in the interim
Where is the emoticon for "banging the same old drum'
Up here the spirit is willing, but the flesh is getting weaker
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BrettB
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- Joined: 13 Jun 2012, 23:28
- Location: Perth
I think we all respect the need for biosecurity, nobody wants another cane toad disaster.
That doesn't stop us railing against the inconsistencies and poor administration.
Cheers
Brett
That doesn't stop us railing against the inconsistencies and poor administration.
Cheers
Brett
"We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are ." Anais Nin
