BCSA Code of Practice for Auctions & Sales
This Auction & Sales Code of Practice is as a guide for the holding of sales or auctions. This is inclusive of both native and exotic birds in South Australia. Adherence to this Code ensures that club Bird Sales continue to be acceptable to the fauna authorities. Additionally, this negates the possibility of stringent regulations being introduced to govern such events. Clubs holding sales or auctions (hereafter referred to as “the event”) under the auspices of The United Bird Societies of South Australia Inc Code of Practice shall adhere to the following conditions:
Coordination
- A copy of this Code of Practice is prominently on display at the venue. We shall provide a copy to all sellers prior to the event.
- This Code of Practice shall cover all birds on sale, both permit and non-permit.
- Sellers shall comply with both the Department for Environment and Water conditions applicable to this event and this Code of Practice.
- Accordingly, the sale or auction is cancellable if the forecast, or actual temperature at the event location is in excess of 32 degrees Celsius on the day.
- With this in mind, we determine a firm starting time.
- Organisers of the event shall have in attendance Stewards familiar with this Code of Practice. Additionally, they shall have the right to refuse entry of any bird(s) or demand removal of any bird(s) if, during the course of the event, any breach(es) of the Code is evident.
- On account of this, all Stewards at the event shall wear hi-vis vests and badges to clearly identify their status.
- All stalls have a clear number, in preparation for a sale. Additionally, all stall-holders shall wear a badge displaying the corresponding number for easy identification.
- With auctions, all lots have clear markings of their lot number.
- We will not conduct sales prior to when we advertise the starting time.
Day of the Event
- All birds are on their bench a minimum of 15 minutes prior to the starting time so as to allow time for them to settle down.
- The minimum height of display benches shall be 75 centimetres.
- Lighting within the venue shall be of a level conducive to easy viewing of cage contents.
- The club operating the event and the Stewards attending, take all reasonable care to protect the well-being of the birds for sale. They are not responsible for escape, injury, death or the physical conditions of the birds. Stewards will remove birds showing any sign of injury or distress.
- We do not allow the use of cameras at an event without the prior consent of the Stewards in attendance.
- We will not confine birds for sale for transport and display for more than 24 hours.
- Only compatible species are holdable in the same cage.
- We house birds in such a manner and density as to ensure their comfort and well-being. They must have an adequate supply of moisture and suited food. Special attention is given to the caging of sexually dominant species.
- Cages are of solid construction, with open fronts only. The cage front is the size and strength suitable to house the species and shall be conducive to easy viewing of the contents.
- Sellers shall avoid selling birds to buyers who have open or wire carry cages.
- Where applicable, a perch should be inclusive in the display cage.
- Accordingly, wire fronted cardboard boxes are not useable.
Post Purchase
- A secure area shall be provided for the transfer of birds from the sellers display box to the purchasers carry box.
- Suitable catching nets shall be provided by the organisers of the Event for the recapture of escaped birds.
- Only full feathered self-sufficient birds are offerable for sale.
Buyer & Seller Responsibility
Permit holders offering protected animals for sale must be present whilst animals are being sold. They must ensure compliance with the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, Animal Welfare Act 1985, any other relevant legislation. They must meet the conditions of their permit at all times. This includes the recording of the purchaser’s name, address and permit number along with the provision of the seller’s name, address and permit number to the purchaser.
Permit holders offering protected animals for sale must provide advice to the purchaser on:
- Firstly, the legislative obligations of keeping the species of captive animal sold
- Secondly, husbandry requirements under the ‘South Australian Code of Practice for the Husbandry of Captive Birds’
Sellers offering protected animals for sale must remove an animal from display immediately if the animal is showing signs of stress or injury. The animal must remain off display for the remainder of the sale.
Host Club Responsibility
- Firstly, Ensure the protected animals offered for sale are housed in adequate sized cages and held with compatible species.
- Ensure an adequate supply of moisture in the cage or enclosure.
- Ensure sufficient and appropriate food in the cage or enclosure.
- Ensure the animals are protected from weather conditions that would be likely to cause them distress.
- Lastly, Do not permit the animals to suffer distress from any other cause that can be reasonably avoided.
Courtesy of United Bird Society of South Australia