Aussie Bird Breeders Lobby

11 Oct 2009, 20:49

Is it time to form one?
To lobby against overly restrictive licensing practices.
To lobby against the un restrained export of the healthy non Australian species we have.
To lobby against people who want to stop us keeping aviarys - birds in our own back yards.
It worked for the American gun lobby!
What do you think?
LML

11 Oct 2009, 22:37

OMG please done associate aviculture with the NRA and their like! I might also think that PETA members might make suitable targets but paying for a lobbyist to convince the lawmakers and public is definitely a better way to go. Of course trying to find agreement on what is good for Australian aviculture might show not everyone agrees on just what that is. I imagine that since you are against exports then to be consistant you are against imports. I on the other hand, as an Aussie that happens to presently live in the Philippines, can't see what is wrong with exporting common foreign or even native species and importing birds given certain safeguards.

11 Oct 2009, 23:04

I'm not in the least against exporting common species, just those that are not comman and are being bred with limited genetic mix as it is.
Imports I have reservations. Australia is the safest country in the world re bird and animal health because of our rigid import regulation. But can they be relaxed to allow us a wider choice of genetic material and access to currently unavailable species that are not endangered in other countries? I would sincerely like the experts opinions on this.
As for the NRA you've got to admit they know how to get the pollies attention!
Why pay a lobbyist who's heart isn't in it to do what dedicated bird lovers could do by uniting?
LML

12 Oct 2009, 14:27

Hi All
I agree with finchbreeder...from what I understand its not the fact that non australian finches are being exported...its the numbers that are going elswhere that is of concern...I have no proof of this..just what breeders have told me...apparently the buyers are quite forceful at times.
We must maintain the security of the countries borders too......its perhaps not well know how fortunate we are to have such stringent rules regarding imports......one could however ask why it is okay for parrots and pigeons to be imported and not finches?....not sure I understand that one.
As far as lobbying goes....there is a national body already that is lobbying on finch people's behalf...The National Finch and Softbill Association....most people that are in clubs would know about this group as their club would most likely be affiliated with that association......If this subject is of interest to you then it would be worth while exploring the material available and see what is being done and perhaps support the NFSA.
While they do not have the political clout of the NRA Id prefer pressure to be of a more subtle nature at this point in time...Im not convinced the political attention that might be attracted would be to birdkeepers advantage if it were somewhat militant....and no one has ever been shot in the head with a finch

I have included some web sites for those that feel inclined to explore the topic
http://www.talkingbirds.com.au/document ... IATION.pdf
http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/revi ... -assoc.pdf
I hope this is of interest in a topic that affects all birdkeepers I suspect
Cheers
Kevin S

12 Oct 2009, 20:27

Thanks for that Kevin.
As you have probably figured out I am located where the only bird club is mixed birds and even though the president is a finch keeper I think his focus is more about money than mine is, and the majority of members breed parrots.
And on top of that they meet on weekends when I work.

So knowing there is someone out there is good.

Thanks for the sites.
LML

12 Oct 2009, 20:38

I think they should be able to export as many non native wild birds as they can catch.And have a limit on all other birds,allowing a small percentage of birds breed in a given year to be exported.
I know how you feel Kevin out of 50 members in our local club, about four members including myself,have any resonable amount of finches.And the finch breeders seem to be looked down on as sparrow breeders.

12 Oct 2009, 20:53

Some of us only have 2 to 4 aviarys and 10 to 15 types of birds.
But promise to rectify that as soon as we win Lotto by buying the block over the back and expanding on to it.

LML

12 Oct 2009, 22:04

I have the same situation really...all the clubs closest to me are mixed....and mostly parrots...they are extremely popular and it seems thats where people can make enough money to support their addiction.....oops...hobby.....one fella i know in the hunter has 70 aviaries...all parrots...he had finches byt thought they twittered and fluttered too much...siiigggggggggghhhhhhhhh
There are a few finch clubs around however and you can enjoy the newsletters if you join one...or perhaps sus out some other forum members and start a small group of your own...neednt be a formal club.....i think it would be very worthwhile to have those connections...im sort of thinking about trying to organise something local too.....ill still go to the hunter valley finch club meetings too though...but its about a 45 min drive though and petrol isnt getting cheaper
might be worth asking mick or gomer if there could be a remote members forum on here so those interested could contact those in their local district if that hasnt already happened...it would be interesting to see if there were any other forum members felt the same
cheers

12 Oct 2009, 22:45

the worst part of that kevin is that for 1 person that has finches & is a club/society member there are 100's of others who are not. makes it almost impossible to do a list of that type.
I only know about 8 other finch breeders this side of adelaide and a couple of them are more than 300km from me.
dont know how it is at other bird clubs/societies but here at mine with 60+ members I find myself to be one of the youngest.
seems like most younger folks now days dont want to be tied down with pets that are hard to find someone to care for when they go away.
need to find a way to draw more of those finch owners who dont belong to any type of club into forums like this, once we have a larger membership base here it will be a lot easier to find others in your own local area.
so if anyone has any ideas to get the forum's name out in the open more please let us know

13 Oct 2009, 07:11

i agree Mick...im always amazed at the number of birdkeepers that are not in a club ....given the advantages it brings.....on the other hand there are a number of people that are in clubs in other states and its possible to build up connections if you ever visit those areas.....My suggestion at this stage was for members of this forum at least to perhaps form small informal groups in thier own areas.....i have found there is nothing better than to visit someones aviaries and chat.....something id like to do more of.....it certainly gives some idea about the incredible creativity birdkeepers display......anyway...maybe its not a viable suggestion....i know there are many forum members that are not near any other birdkeepers and this is their main contact with other fincho's..it will happen or not according to response or demand i guess.
Your suggestion of boosting the forum is a very good place to start...as you have said before...the more members we have the more the connections will flow....i try and spread the word....but as with the problem with distance I find there is also a bit of resistance to forums (or computers in general)
Our group has a good cross section of ages.....the eldest being in his eighties and still going to meetings......there are quiet a few young people joining and we are trying to encourage that....if the youngsters dont get involved then the hobby will not thrive
I think there are other factors in the birdkeeping scene......there are those that breed,buy or sell birds to make a living...the big breeders and the people that have smaller aviaries and less birds...i suppose its the latter to which my thoughts are directed as the first two may not be inclined to forums ....i feel the latter group would make up the bulk of forum members..anyway....as it is this forum is a great opportunity for people to get involved and learn....there are many knowledgeable people contributing and i feel the moderators and admin do a great job....
thanks and cheers