ANIMAL WELFARE (AMPHIBIANS IN CAPTIVITY) CODE
OF PRACTICE APPROVAL 2004
DISALLOWABLE INSTRUMENT DI2004—4

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Section 22 of the Animal Welfare Act 1992 provides that the Minister may approve codes of practice relating to animal welfare.

The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Amphibians in Captivity was prepared by the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC).

Membership of the AWAC is comprised of representatives from the Australian Veterinary Association, the RSPCA, the ACT Rural Lessees Association, Animal Liberation ACT, the ACT Canine Association, the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Committee, a person with experience in the use of animals in research establishments and a person with expertise in wildlife management. 

Section 1 - Introduction provides the scope of the Code and advises that the Code provides for minimum standards of care for keeping of amphibians in captivity.  The Code also encourages the protection of wild populations of amphibians from illegal harvesting and introduction of disease and genetic contamination.

Section 2 - Definitions provides definitions for terms used within the Code. 

Section 3 – Licences details licensing requirements under the Nature Conservation Act 1980 for the keeping and handling of captive amphibians.

Section 4 – Responsible Ownership provides direction on aspects of amphibian keeping that should be considered when establishing a new colony.

Section 5 - Handling details the appropriate way to ensure an amphibian is not injured or stressed when being examined, handled or moved.

Section 6 – Quarantine outlines the steps that should be taken to ensure that disease risk from introducing new animals to an existing colony is minimised.

Section 7 – Environment details the types of environmental requirements to be considered when keeping amphibians in captivity.  This section addresses housing, lighting, temperature, humidity, water, and substrate requirements to ensure that your enclosure has the optimum conditions for a particular species of amphibian.  This section also provides information regarding community living and compatibility between species as well as the most appropriate methods to use to clean an amphibian enclosure. 

Section 8 – Nutrition provides information on what types of food should be fed to amphibians, as well as problems that may be encountered if amphibians are underfed.

Section 9 – Health Care provides detailed information on steps that should be taken to prevent diseases.  It also provides a guide as to what visual signs to monitor to ensure that the health of the amphibian is maintained.  A number of key amphibian disease symptoms are listed.

Section 10 – Transport outlines transportation requirements of an amphibian when being moved.  

Section 11 – Breeding provides advice on how to control the breeding of amphibians.

Section 12 – Placement of Offspring and Unwanted Animals provides advice on the steps that can be taken to pass on any unwanted amphibians.

Section 13 – Exempt Amphibians advises where information may be found on amphibians that are not subject to the full range of regulatory provisions of the Nature Conservation Act 1980.