Bird Sales & expos

                                                           BIRD SALE CODE OF PRACTICE

 GENERAL

1. This code applies to all Avicultural species presented at MPAS bird sales

2. A copy of this Code of Practice is to be displayed in a prominent position at the entrances of the venue. Copies are to be made available upon request.

3. Sale of birds is to be limited to a maximum of five hours.

4. Only birds and related items are to be made available at these sales, no other vertebrate species are permitted.

5. For the safety of bird’s other animals including dogs are not permitted to enter the venue, whether on leash, unleashed, contained or carried. Assistance dogs are permissible.

6. All sellers are to be made aware of this Code of Practice to ensure compliance, with prior notice that the code will be strictly enforced by the stewards.

7. Out of courtesy photographing of birds is NOT permitted without the permission of the bird’s owner.

8. Entry to the venue is conditional upon compliance with this Code of Practice and “MPAS Sellers Rules” by all persons; including buyers, sellers and traders.

9. Bird sales are to be deferred or cancelled if the ambient dry–bulb temperature is predicted to reach 32°C or above on the day of the sale. The predicted temperature to be used will be the regional temperature of the closest locality to the venue as advertised on the ABC evening television news on the day before the sale. All bird sales advertising should warn members of the public of this condition.

10. Public Liability Insurance : All Mornington Peninsula Avicultural Society (MPAS) members are protected by the Public Liability Insurance policy held by MPAS. . It is the responsibility of all other participants to provide their own cover.

 VENUE

1. The venue is to be fully roofed and able to be securely closed off to enable the containment of any bird that may escape so that the bird can be recaptured.
   1. Bird sale organisers are to provide a minimum of two suitable catching nets appropriate for the height of the venue to enable the owners or any sanctioned helper(s) to recover any escaped bird.
   2. Birds cannot be caught during the sale unless special permission is sought from the bird sale co-ordinator. A secure means of transferring birds from sale to transport cages must be available to prevent escape.
   3. All transfers are to be within the secure venue, an enclosed transfer aviary, room or other secure facility that does not allow escape of the bird/s.

2. Organisers of the bird sale are to provide clearly identified stewards that are familiar with this Code of Practice and are to be in continuous attendance at the venue.

3. Stewards have the right to refuse entry to the venue to any person or bird or cage deemed to be in breach of this Code.

4. Lighting levels within the venue are to be conducive to clearly view the birds within their display cage.

5. Bird sale organisers must obtain Public Liability Insurance of at least $20 million and all incidents, accidents and injuries must be reported to and recorded by the sale organisers and/or ambulance officers if present.

DISCLAIMER

The Mornington Peninsula Avicultural Society Inc, its officers and/or its committee shall not be responsible for:

1. the health or welfare of any birds sold, transferred and/or purchased by any person, where the health of that bird proves to be defective or not up to the standard anticipated by the purchaser.
2. any disease or virus that is transmitted by way of any goods sold, transferred and/or purchased at a bird sale organised by the Mornington Peninsula Avicultural Society Inc.
3. any disease or virus transmitted from a bird to a human being by a bird which has been sold, transferred and/or purchased at a bird sale organised by The Mornington Peninsula Avicultural Society Inc.

SELLERS RULES

General

1. This code applies to all avicultural species presented for sale.

2. For the safety of birds other animals including dogs are not permitted to enter the venue, whether on leash, unleashed, contained or carried. Assistance dogs are permissible

3. Out of courtesy photographing of birds is NOT permitted without the permission of the birds owner.

4. Stewards have the right to refuse entry to the venue to any person or bird or cage deemed to be in breach of this code.

5. Only birds in good health, sound physical condition, fully feathered and self-sufficient [fully weaned] may be offered for sale. The organisers reserve the right to have a steward or recognised Avian Veterinarian inspect any or all of the birds offered for sale by a seller and, at their sole discretion, shall upon the advice of the steward/Veterinarian determine if the birds shall be allowed to be presented for sale.

6. Transportation of birds should be in accordance with section 5.1 of the Victorian Code of Practice for the Housing of Caged Birds (Dept. of Agriculture). It is recommended that birds being transported to and from the venue are to be carried in an enclosed but well ventilated vehicle and only to be confined to a transport cage for a maximum period of 24 hours.

7. Only one species of bird is permitted per cage. See ‘Cages section’ and Attachment’s A & B for details.

8. Birds that have been sold by pre-arrangement must not be put on display or exchanged prior to the advertised start time of the bird sale.

9. Poultry [except quail] and domestic pigeons are not permitted.

10. Cut off time for sellers to bench birds is 10.45.

11. All sellers to be at their stand from 10.30am on for final inspection by stewards. Birds cannot be sold until inspected by stewards.

12. Birds that are NOT on display must also be available for stewards to inspect. The same conditions regarding food and water apply to them.

CAGES & PRESENTATION

This is an EXPO.

Quality of displays is vital for ongoing events

1. Cages are to be constructed of a solid material such as timber, metal or hardened plastic (no cardboard, corflute or used containers).  All-wire cages are not permitted to be used by either sellers or buyers to contain birds.                                                                                                                      
2. Only freshly cleaned and well-presented cages are acceptable. They must be free from dirt, dust, old droppings and old stale food and should be a light colour inside (e.g. white, light blue, light green). Freshly painted cages are desirable to display your birds in a quality fashion.                
3. Cages are to have perches available suitable for the species within (quail and ground dwelling birds excluded) and suitable material on the cage floor to prevent soiling of the birds feathers. Perches should be sited in the cage to suit the species within allowing for head and tail clearance of the bird/s within the cage when perched.                                                                                                                                                                          
4. The base of all sales cages is to be a minimum of 70cm above the floor level of the venue.                                                                                                 
5. Sellers must present their cages with an adequate supply of fresh clean water, seed and/or other appropriate food for the species contained within suitable vessels for the entire period of the sale. Seed on the floor of the cage is acceptable as long as it is contained within the confines of the cage. This must be done within 30 minutes of benching their birds. Organisers and stewards WILL ensure compliance.                                        
6. Every buyer of a bird should provide a carry container suitable for the species that is intended to be purchased. See section 5.1 of the Victorian Code of Practice for the Housing of Caged Birds (Dept of Agriculture).                                                                                                                                      
7. Maximum number of 6 birds per cage irrespective of the cage size

Minimum size cage is 250mm high, 250mm wide & 115mm deep. Display cages must be of a size and have a perch (except quail) positioned such that the bird/s, when on the perch have  clearance between the head of the bird and the top of the cage, clearance between the tail and the bottom of the cage and allow sufficient room on the perch/s for all birds. Over-crowded cages will NOT be accepted for display nor will the use of airfreight or carry boxes.

1. Species known to be aggressive should be displayed 1 bird per cage (eg Crimson Rosella)                                                                                                  
2. We recommend that cages displaying quail should have a foam ceiling for the safety of the birds.                                                                                    
3. Commercial traders are permitted to sell new all-wire cages as part of their goods however birds are not permitted to be placed in these cages at the sale. All-wire cages purchased must be removed from the sale venue immediately after purchase and must not be taken into the area where the birds are being sold.

 REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

1. Any person in possession of native birds requiring a licence is to produce, upon request, their wildlife licence and record book to authorised officers of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning or members of Victoria Police.

2. Upon transfer of native birds subject to licence, both buyer and seller are to sight and exchange licence details.

3. When purchasing non-licensed birds it is the buyer’s responsibility to obtain the name and contact details of the seller if required.

4. Sellers must be aware of and abide by relevant Consumer Laws.

5. ALL Hybrids (native and non-native species) that are visually identifiable as hybrids are excluded from entry to the bird sale and must not be offered for sale. If the stewards believe a bird is a hybrid, their decision is final and the bird must be removed from sale.

6. The Bird sale will be deferred or cancelled if the ambient dry–bulb temperature is predicted to reach 32°C or above on the day of the sale. The predicted temperature to be used will be the regional temperature of the closest locality to the venue as advertised on the ABC evening television news on the day before the sale.

DISCLAIMER

The Mornington Peninsula Avicultural Society Inc, its officers and/or its committee shall not be responsible for:

• the health or welfare of any birds sold, transferred and/or purchased by any person, where the health of that bird proves to be defective or not up to the standard anticipated by the purchaser.
• any disease or virus that are transmitted by way of any goods sold, transferred and/or purchased at a bird sale organised by the Mornington Peninsula Avicultural Society Inc.
• any disease or virus transmitted from a bird to a human being by a bird which has been sold, transferred and/or purchased at a bird sale organised by The Mornington Peninsula Avicultural Society Inc

Attachment A

 Sample Cage sizes

Notes:

Overcrowded cages will NOT be accepted.  When on the perch birds must have head and tail clear of the top and floor, the total width of all birds must not exceed 60% of the total perch length.

Airfreight and carry boxes are NOT acceptable.

If more than 2 birds are in the cage, 2 or more perches are required.

*Cage 5 & 6 are the same dimensions, just inverted versions for different species