Benefits to all
Exotic and Native Bird Legislation, Animal Welfare,
Importation, Stolen Birds, Local Government. The List Goes On!
Your members can benefit from regular updates on issues relating to all levels
of government, conservation issues plus news from other bird clubs.
VAC affiliates receive all this information. Draft legislation, discussion
papers and government reports are tabled as they become available. For
instance, VAC affiliates received the Code of Practice for the Housing of Cage
Birds first as comments to government from the VAC, then as a draft for
avicultural comment, and finally as the completed, gazetted Code of Practice.
Similar consultations have occurred with state fauna regulations and with
Federal exotic species legislation.
The VAC
Newsletter is COPYRIGHT FREE for you to use items in your club's publication.
The VAC has regular dialogue with relevant government departments. It is
consulted regularly by these departments, including the Department of
Sustainability & Environment (DSE) and Agriculture Victoria.
The VAC has sent representatives to Canberra to represent Victorian interests
in discussions about the National Registration Scheme for Exotic Birds.
Through the VAC, your members are represented to state and Federal Governments on committees and advisory groups relevant to aviculture.
Make a Difference
Being
part of the VAC is important. Can we make a difference? YES! The VAC is built
on the unity of purpose, democratic debate and consensus policy-making. If we,
the clubs, don't communicate and co-operate with each other, then we each
battle alone on many fronts. Together, we represent many bird breeders and
people take notice!
The VAC currently represents thousands of bird breeders. Your club can join the
VAC. It CAN make a difference ! If your club has views, ideas, if it needs
advice, help or support, then joining the VAC can make all the difference in
the world - to your members.
Does
the VAC make a difference? YES! The VAC:
·
developed and reviewed the Code of Practice for the Housing of Caged Birds in
partnership with the government,
·
had birds removed from the Feral and Nuisance Animals Act (then referred to as
the Companion Animals Legislation) through its submission,
·
was the first to establish a Stolen Bird Hotline,
·
offers funds for avicultural projects and has a Research Fund for this purpose.
Practical results of this can be seen in the Birdkeeper April /May 2007
Edition, where David Carr tabulated his breeding of the Red-browed Fig Parrot.
·
oversees the staging of Bird Sales in Victoria,
·
provides a Local Government Kit for those individuals and/or groups negotiating
at that level,
·
is represented where your interests are involved in the state and federal
government hierarchy,
· continually negotiates with the DNRE concerning native birds.
Can an individual join the VAC?
Affiliation and the associated
voting rights are open only to clubs. However, individuals can (and do!)
subscribe to the bi-monthly Newsletter to keep informed of legislative issues.
To subscribe, simply complete the attached
form, enclose the correct payment and post it.
The
contents of this Website are subject to copyright and no part may be reproduced
in any form nor distributed without the prior written consent of the owner. All
rights are reserved.
All
illustrations and photographs ©
© 2005
The Victorian Avicultural Council Inc. All Rights Reserved.