Polly want a lab test ?

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Article written by Biologicals and Avian branch

Exciting things are happening in the world of animal biosecurity. The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is close to releasing its draft risk assessment for the import of live psittacine birds. Most of us know these better as parrots and their various relatives like cockatoos and lovebirds.

This will mean imports of these birds may shortly be permitted for the first time in decades.

But a policy is only as good as its implementation and implementation was looking a bit tricky. Why? Because there are no commercially available tests in the world for some of the exotic viruses we need to protect against. Specifically, psittacine bornavirus and herpesvirus.

‘A lot of people want to import psittacines, but we can’t afford to risk the health of any of our native birds in the process’ said a departmental spokesperson.

So, the department, through the Biosecurity Innovation Program, turned to the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) for help developing suitable tests that we can use to ensure imported psittacine birds aren’t carrying any hidden nasties.

The ACDP is on track to have the new tests up and running shortly. This will be welcome news for Australia’s psittacine fanciers and for people who have had to leave a pet bird behind when immigrating to Australia.

‘Psittacine birds are often very long lived, intelligent and closely bonded with their owner. We are expecting several happy reunions in the not too distant future,’ said a departmental spokesperson.

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