What
you need to know about Australian Government exotic bird recordkeeping
requirements
The Australian Government is working with birdkeepers to minimise
the risk of acquiring illegally traded birds and to promote confidence
amongst aviculturists. Legally keeping exotic birds Keepers of exotic
birds need to have adequate information to show how and where they
obtained the exotic birds they hold.
They should have:
• record books, receipts identifying previous owners or
similar evidence that the bird (or its parents or grandparents
etc) was registered under NEBRS or
• evidence that the bird is of a species that was exempt
from NEBRS, and the bird and any progeny were imported before
11 January 2002 or
• an import permit indicating that the bird, or all of the
birds of which it is the progeny, were lawfully imported into
Australia.
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts website
includes a list of exotic bird species known to be in Australia
— the 2003 Inventory — as well as the Live Import List
which outlines species that can be legally imported into Australia
(see the Keep informed section
of this brochure).

Why improve the current system?
Currently many birdkeepers do not keep adequate records to protect
themselves, their birds and their businesses against threats posed
by illegal importation and trade in exotic birds.
To address recordkeeping issues, the Australian Government established
the Exotic Birdkeepers Advisory Group (EBAG) in early 2006 and is
consulting with exotic birdkeepers.
What are the proposed improvements?
Exotic birds species known to be in Australia would be classified
to show the minimum level of recordkeeping expected. The proposed
classification would be based on whether a species has been, or
is likely to be traded illegally, and whether the species poses
a risk to the Australian environment as a pest or vector for disease.
Another proposed improvement is the introduction of a standard Movement
Transaction Record (MTR) to be exchanged by buyer and seller. A
draft template MTR is available on the Department’s web site
(see the Keep informed section of this brochure).
Why is it important to
keep records?
Keeping records will help:
• you to prove where your birds (and eggs) came from if asked
by authorities.
• reduce illegal trade in exotic birds
• protect aviculture from diseases spread through illegally
traded birds
• protect the Australian environment from pests and diseases
and
• ensure market values of exotic birds are not eroded by illegal
trade.
What is ‘buyer beware’?
‘Buyer beware’ places the onus on birdkeepers to ensure
any birds or eggs they keep or trade have records to show that the
specimens have been legally imported or were derived from NEBRS-registered
specimens. This will help minimise the risk of acquiring illegally
traded birds or eggs and promote confidence amongst aviculturists.

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