Bird markets - An assessment of the situa-tion in Germany with special reference to animal welfare aspects

Bird markets have a long tradition in Germany. They still play an important role for private pet bird keepers and breeders in the purchase and exchange of all types of pet birds. However, such events can result in stress for the animals on offer. Manual capture out of the usual husbandry environment, transportation to the bird market, housing in spatially confined sales cages, presentation in unfamiliar surroundings and also the effect of environmental stimuli through market visitors or any type of animals (irrespective if these are conspecifics or members of foreign species, in particular potential predators) must be categorized as potential stress factors. The presented review article summarizes results of an assessment of bird markets throughout Germany with regard to animal welfare aspects as part of the Exopet I study, funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) via the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food. Pros and Cons of bird markets are discussed. Shortcomings relevant to animal welfare were observed at all inspected bird markets. Observed deficiencies could be traced back predominantly to an inadequate problem awareness by the vendors, together with a lack of expertise and inadequate monitoring by the bird market organizers. Therefore, comprehensive monitoring of markets via professionally qualified supervisors must be regarded as a basic prerequisite for animal welfare-compliant organization of markets. Any deficiencies identified must be consistently punished and immediately remedied, not least as an educational measure. Furthermore, supervision by the authority responsible for animal welfare must be guaranteed through, among other aspects, appropriate risk-oriented on-site monitoring.