Import/export birds to Australia

[Tiki]

For Stacey and anyone else who is interested (started a new thread as it was off topic).

It is possible to import and export PET birds to/from Australia and the USA but there are strict regulations. Here is a link for further information.

http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/p...pet-birds.html

[Stacey32]

Hey thanks Tiki,
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your assistance. Any advice is helpful. However, I've recently contacted the AQIS in Australia, and below I've copied in two of the email responses I understand why, but find it so sad. The exception is that they are still allowing pet birds from New Zealand. Hmmm:)

THE FIRST EMAIL:
Stacey
Thank you for your query in relation to bringing your Indian Ring Neck Parakeet to Australia.

Unfortunately, I am unable to provide you with information in relation to the necessary forms and quarantine requirements of a Indian Ring Neck Parakeet because the importation of psittacine birds is currently prohibited in Australia.

Biosecurity Australia is conducting a generic Import Risk Analysis (IRA) on importation of psittacine birds, and the present conditions may change in the future. Until all risks have been assessed, the current import restrictions will remain. All interested parties will have opportunity to have input into this IRA process, either through national associations or as individual stakeholders. The stakeholder regstration forms are available at http://www.affa.gov.au/stakeholder. Becoming a stakeholder also means that you will then be advised of significant further developments in this IRA process.

Regards,
David Kim PhD
Veterinary Officer

AND THE SECOND EMAIL.....

Good afternoon Stacey.
Thank you for your enquiry regarding the importation of birds into Australia.
At this stage and in the interest of maintaining the favourable disease status of Australia's domestic poultry and native birds, especially in relation to Newcastle disease and Avian Influenza, AQIS has strict quarantine requirements for the importation of birds. Under AQIS Import Condition C9085, there is currently a total ban on the importation of birds other than pet birds from New Zealand and pigeons from approved countries.
Birds accepted from New Zealand are not natives of New Zealand, but any pet bird from New Zealand is acceptable, however, an Environment Australia permit is needed.
Please be aware that AQIS operates under the Quarantine Act 1908 which states that any animal arriving in Australia that does not fully comply with Australian import requirements will be immediately returned to the country of export or, in extreme circumstances, euthanased at the owner's expense. Obviously this would be a most undesirable situation to all concerned.
I can advise, however, that Animal Biosecurity, who write the quarantine import conditions, are in the final throes of conducting an Import Risk Analysis (IRA) on the import of live birds, which required a full risk assessment be undertaken. The draft policy is currently in the final stages of composition and anticipated to be finalised in the foreseeable future.
Unfortunately, although the IRA is in the final stages of composition at the moment, finalisation of the draft policy has been delayed due to a number of factors, some of which are outside the control of Biosecurity Australia. Animal Biosecurity is endeavouring to finalise the draft IRA report as soon as possible and will release it at the earliest possible time for 60 days public comment .
After the 60 days has lapsed, Biosecurity Australia analyses the stakeholder comments and makes whatever changes to the policy that are deemed necessary. The amount of time this would take is dependent upon the number and nature of comments received from stakeholders.
Following this process, a final draft IRA is put out to stakeholders for another 30 days. During this period, stakeholders have the opportunity to appeal against the findings, on grounds that there was a significant deviation from the process set out in the Import Risk Analysis Handbook that adversely affected the interests of a stakeholder, or that a significant body of relevant scientific information has not been considered. If no appeals are received, the IRA becomes policy.
Based on the above, the amended bird policy would be likely to come into being within six months from the release of the draft policy.
If you would like to be kept up-to-date with the IRA's progress, I recommend you register as a stakeholder at www.affa.gov.au/stakeholder <http://www.affa.gov.au/stakeholder>.
In the meantime, although AQIS sympathises with your close attachment to your pet bird, permission cannot be granted for her importation at this point in time.

Regards
Noelene
Animal Programs
Tel: 02 6272 4454
Fax: 02 6272 3110
Email: animalimp@aqis.gov.au
Web Site: http://www.aqis.gov.au
www.affa.gov.au/stakeholder

I've registerd as a Stakeholder...and now I just wait and pray. It won't be completely miserable though. My mom and dad will take her (and she likes them)...I think i'd need a Bindy Webcam to survive....so I could log on 24 hrs/day and see my Bindy! Wouldn't that be great to see what they get up to in the day when we aren't home?

[Tiki]

Jeeze, they are strict! From that other link, it looked more promising. Maybe that's just a reaction to avian flu or something?

I think if the situation was reversed, Australia will allow people to export pet birds of certain species like cockatiels, budgies, galahs and corellas if they are Australian residents moving overseas, but not if it is for commercial purposes. You have to be able to prove they are pets and you need a vet clearance. Upon arrival in the other country, like the USA for example, they will quarantined for a month or so, then provided no diseases crop up you can take your birds.

For example, suppose I want to move to the USA. I can take my 10 cockatiels because they are on the list, but I could not take more exotic species like Major Mitchells, Rosellas or King Parrots.

I just assumed it was the same situation in reverse. I thnk it is really cruel for governments to force people to lose their beloved pets just because they move countries for whatever reason. :(

[Stacey32]

yeah, I know it did look promising until I emailed them. :( But thank you so much for that site. I actually hadn't found that one..I had only found the AQIS and the biodiversity site. If you hear anything else by chance, you know where to find me! :)

the part I found almost shocking was:

"or, in extreme circumstances, euthanased at the owner's expense. Obviously this would be a most undesirable situation to all concerned."


Maybe they are implying to me that I shouldn't try to "sneak" bindy in. Of course I wouldn't...I care too much about her.

Thanks again Tiki.

[Tiki]

The very idea of euthanizing an innocent bird is shocking and disgusting. Maybe things will loosen up after they complete that IRA study. How much longer until you think you will be moving?

[Stacey32]

I'll private mail you on those details ;) ..I might bore the others!

[smallonion]

And I thought it was bad that I might have to quarantine Humphrey when I want to bring him to the USA! Stacey, I can't tell you how sorry I am that you can't bring Bindy. I know how much you love him.

Michele and Humph

[Stacey32]

Thanks Michelle, I appreciate that. I feel a lot of guilt considering we are "choosing" to move. But, dez (husband) always said....it we take this bird, we can't let it change our plans. Of course I agreed to it then because
(a) this was BEFORE we even took bindy into our home (she was at that other house) and (b) I had no idea how strong the bond between human and 'this bird' was. It may sound naive (i've recently been known to be naive ) but not knowing about birds, I didn't realize their intelligence, that they needed a steady home, that they bond with their owners like they do, etc. The list goes on! All of this has been learned since Bindy found us.

Needless to say, I wish I could go back on my word and let it change our plans for moving. I just can't do that to dez. I certainly will put off our move as long as possible and hope and pray that the risk analysis currently taking place in Oz goes my way!

Stacey
p.s. have pleasant dreams!