Overview of BCSA Bio-security Guidelines

The Budgerigar Council of South Australia Incorporated (BCSA) along with its Affiliate & Associate Member Societies agree that in the event of an outbreak, or the threat of an outbreak, of a notifiable bird disease or outbreaks of other unknown diseases which may pose a threat to budgerigars, the following BCSA Biosecurity rules and guidelines be adopted for all budgerigar exhibitions and shows held in South Australia and Broken Hill. Notifiable disease outbreaks will follow this BCSA Biosecurity Policy in conjunction with any Government Policy or Policies.

These measures are to be implemented in accordance with any Government directive. Where a Government directive is issued, that directive will take precedence over this Policy.

If the Government have not advised that an event has risk attached, it is at the discretion of Committee of the BCSA or an Affiliate if the following is to be applied.

If the Government permit an event to proceed with Biosecurity precautions, then the following is to be applied.

If the BCSA or an Affiliate committee feel there is any risk beyond the above, then the event should not proceed.

In the main, the following should be normal practice at all events.

If risks are thought to be high enough to require sanitising judges sticks and wiping cages then the event should not proceed. Respiratory diseases can be transmitted via an airborne route, so no amount of sanitising judges sticks or show cages can prevent that.

Viral diseases require stronger measures than bacterial diseases.

A judge may choose through person choice to sanitise their judges stick (not compulsory by Risk Assessment). This will not automatically be grounds for the event not to proceed.

Biosecurity Officer

Each show‑promoting society must appoint a Biosecurity Officer and an Assistant Biosecurity Officer, both of whom, where practical, must be financial members of an Affiliate Member Society and of the BCSA. If a qualified vet is available at the event, their involvement should be sought.

The Biosecurity Officer and Assistant must:

  • be competent in recognising signs of illness in budgerigars
  • take responsibility for all biosecurity measures relating to exhibits and the show environment, as outlined in this Policy
  • remain on site for the full duration of the event

Infection Prevention at Entry / Exit

Only birds entered as show exhibits, approved sale birds, or auction birds may enter the show hall. The removal of any protective covers to occur external of the event venue.

Entry procedures must include:

  • Cages being checked for cleanliness, if unclean to be refused entry.
    • The cage and bird to be removed from the venue where able,
    • If not able to remove from the venue, a secure nominated isolation area will be required with access only by the Biosecurity Officer or assistant – heat in a vehicle for isolation is to be considered as a risk, weather dependent.
  • Travelling boxes (if used) to be removed from the show hall immediately after birds are placed in the selling cage
  • A designated area (table) for the placement of travelling boxes during the removal of show, sale, or auction birds from the sale cage to the travelling box
  • Only one exhibitor per table at any time for ease of control of the above process.

Minimising the Risk of Cross‑Contamination

To minimise cross‑contamination:

  • Show cages must not be stacked or placed front‑to‑front
  • Show cages must not be placed on the floor at any time
  • Consideration is be given to ensure minimal movement of exhibits

Checking Rings (if required)

The Show Manager or their delegate must apply a suitable virucidal hand sanitiser before and after checking each ring, if there is deemed to be a biosecurity risk.

Judging Sticks and Approved Judging Aides

Judges must bring their own approved judging sticks and/or judging aides.

Show promoters must provide facilities for disinfecting these items with suitable virucidal wipes throughout judging, if deemed necessary.

The use of hand motion to encourage birds onto the perch is strongly recommended.

Photography

To minimise cross‑infection risk:

  • Photography is be conducted through the cage front if appropriate approval has been given.

Sick Birds

Any bird showing signs of illness must be removed from the show area and placed in a secure nominated isolation area with access only by the Biosecurity Officer or assistant.

All other exhibits from the same exhibitor must be inspected for signs of illness before the applicable event commences.

The exhibitor / vendor must be notified of the action taken as soon as reasonably practicable.

Guidelines for Exhibitors Upon Returning Home

Upon returning home, exhibitors should consider:

  • changing clothing before entering their bird room
  • isolating all show or purchased birds for four (4) weeks for observation

Relevant Documentation

“Biosecurity for Aviary Birds – The Bird Keepers Guide” by Biosecurity S.A.

Summary

In the event of a notifiable disease outbreak, this BCSA Biosecurity Policy is to be applied in conjunction with and subject to any Government policy or directive, noting that Government directives take precedence over all provisions of this Policy.

Government directives may include specific geographic areas, that is nominated regions, zones or a Geo-fenced area or areas. The Government directive or communication might be that events can proceed without any Biosecurity intervention.  In these cases, it is at the discretion of the Committee of the BCSA or an Affiliate if an event is to proceed.

 

 

BCSA Biosecurity