Bird sale anouncement Victoria all states ???

[toothlessjaws]

On a more positive note. We must promote what we do well. The potential for expanding our threatened species effort is enormous and in my view is the best promotion of aviculture we have. I have some meetings organised with a few politicians and bureaucrats so we're moving forward but it requires widespread support. There are other areas to promote, such as working with the zoo community, aviaries in nursing homes and hospitals, benefits of pets and companion birds, and so on.

Thank you for all your work Sam. I agree wholeheartedly with the above comment.

[Tiaris]

I agree that the possibility to expand threatened species breeding is potentially exciting but if we are to justify what we have already achieved & our ongoing rights to have birds as we have for generations without undue regulatory encumberances we need to stand up for what we have today. In that regard aviculture's already existing achievements re: threatened species is already totally defensible eg. Gouldian, Princess, Turquoise, Superb, Regent, Golden-shouldered & many other examples of widespread long-term demonstrated breeding success of rare/threatened species in aviculture.
A point which needs to be stressed with consistency is that aviculture has been practiced in Australia for well over a century & by many thousands of Australians & we demand as voters that if any proposed or existing regulations are to take away any rights to practice it as we have always done, then they need to damn-well justify the need to take these rights away from us or we will vote against them.
Again, the current NSW greyhound situation is a good illustration of the electoral consequences of poor policy in this regard. I personally have never owned a greyhound, been to or bet on a greyhound race or have any interest in the greyhound industry at all but I will be voting against the current state government at the next election primarily on the basis of this very poor policy response to a perceived issue. If the polls announced publicly just yesterday are any indication, I am not alone - Baird has gone from a landslide victor of historical proportions at last election to way behind his opponent as preferred Premier in the blink of an eye in the wake of this issue and the way it has been handled by the government. People (not just those in the industry affected) are fed up with knee-jerk policy responses to one-sided media stories and are prepared to vote accordingly for those who advocate common sense solutions to issues before wielding the legislative axe. I know the Victorian bird sale situation does have obvious differences to this (not least of which is that we are talking about existing legislation) but the need for those advocating/administering that legislation to aviculture's detriment need to clearly justify their position from the outset or get out of the way of those they are affecting.

[mr skeeter]

we were going to get a decision on this by mid september what a load of rubbish. we are getting taken for fools by this government. i have never voted for the liberal government but watch out for the next election they will get my vote. good luck graham with ur next progect quack quack

[SamDavis]

mr skeeter is correct. No amendment Bill of relevance was introduced into Parliament during September. The next sitting week commences October 11th. Many representatives of Victorian clubs (over 100 clubs) are continuing to explore options, unfortunately the VAC is not contributing to these discussions or sharing any information they may have with the rest of the group. This I find most frustrating and counterproductive. We must all work together.

The expectation of amendments during the September session is due to the only release from the VAC regarding this issue which stated

The Hon Jaala Pulford Minister for Agriculture has just announced that she will be
introducing legislative amendments to the Domestic Animal Act 1994, into Parliament in
September 2016.

The full release is here - VAC Release. We have been unable to locate this Ministerial Announcement and the VAC has not replied to our requests.

Note the following recently commenced review and document that may be significant to this issue:
Animal Welfare Reform in Victoria
DOWNLOAD - Improving the Welfare of Animals in Victoria 2016 – 2021
The above is largely the work of the Minister's Animal Welfare Advisory Council (AWAC) and looks to be the type of review that will drag on for some time. The AWAC includes significant representation from Animals Australia. Unfortunately there is no representative of Aviculture (despite our request at our April meeting).

Regards,
Sam

[mr skeeter]

why don't we direct our concerns to daniel andrews directly and see if we can get a answer regarding this decision to allow us bird breeders to do what we love before its to late. nothing to lose ? cheers mick

[SamDavis]

CCBFA Submission on the Victorian Animal Welfare Draft Action Plan.

ccbfa vic animal welfare sub.jpg

[SamDavis]

The DOMESTIC ANIMALS AMENDMENT (PUPPY FARMS AND PET SHOPS) BILL 2016 was introduced into Parliament yesterday 11/10/16. Second reading is today 12/10/2016. This Bill will include edits to Section 96 which will either solve the bird sale problem (or make it significantly worse).

You can watch the Assembly live here - Vic Parliament Live Feed

[SamDavis]

The amendment Bill is now public.
Domestic Animals Amendment (Puppy Farms and Pet Shops) Bill 2016

Clause 93 and 95 is relevant to our bird sale issue. They want animal sale permits for all bird sales that are not from a pet shop or private residence. I'm not sure about this - there is no detail of the permit process, cost or criteria. Personally my gut tells me to argue against such regulation given there is no historical welfare issues of any significance.

Clearly there will be rather more significant issues for our Dog breeding friends to get their head around. We wish them well.

Regards,
Sam

[Craig52]

The amendment Bill is now public.
Domestic Animals Amendment (Puppy Farms and Pet Shops) Bill 2016

Clause 93 and 95 is relevant to our bird sale issue. They want animal sale permits for all bird sales that are not from a pet shop or private residence. I'm not sure about this - there is no detail of the permit process, cost or criteria. Personally my gut tells me to argue against such regulation given there is no historical welfare issues of any significance.

Clearly there will be rather more significant issues for our Dog breeding friends to get their head around. We wish them well.

Regards,
Sam

Thanks Sam Craig

[SamDavis]

I've had a chance to read through and digest much of the Bill, in particular "Division 3B - Animal Sales Permits". In my opinion this is a major disaster. The requirements to obtain and comply with an Animal Sale Permit are nothing short of outrageous. And if you don't comply the penalty is over $200,000 for clubs and over $4000 for an individual.

I recommend everyone reads Division 3B. The Second Reading debate is in two weeks, so to fight this will require everyone to get on board and start lobbying all local members rapidly.

Division 3B commences on page 27. Here is the link to the Bill...
Domestic Animals Amendment (Puppy Farms and Pet Shops) Bill 2016

I note the VAC has expressed the view on Facebook that it is "Good News", so I acknowledge there are opposing views which I do not understand. I would hope the VAC can now be open regarding their negotiations.

I'd be interested in all your views of the proposed changes.

Regards,
Sam