News

BS removes major fault clause

The Budgerigar Society (BS) has voted to delete the "one major fault" stipulation from its proposed guidelines for judges and exhibitors.

At a meeting late last month, the BS General Council agreed to remove the following clause from the guidelines: Birds displaying one major fault will not be able to win any major award other than a class win. The new rule would have been introduced in 2013. The current clause, which excludes birds with two major faults from advancing beyond a class win, is to remain.

Now the BS will publish its updated guidelines in the New Year – and officials say they hope the budgerigar fancy will accept the amended version. BS chairman George Booth said: "The BS listened to fanciers' concerns and comments and reached an agreeable and sensible compromise. The Guidelines we have now are for the foreseeable future. Birds with one major fault can go through on to the bench; birds with two can't win any major awards other than a class win."

The six major faults involve flecking, opalescence, spots, primary flights, tail feathers and deformity. Two regular Cage & Aviary Birds contributors, who have recently argued their case for and against the new BS Guidelines, have given their reaction to the decision to remove the clause.

Cumbria-based fancier Richard Miller said: "The article I wrote [Guidelines in focus, October 26] was in support of the BS Guidelines. I could see the merit in the original Guidelines and the hard work that went into them and I knew they were written with good intentions for the fancy. However, the manner in which they were introduced to the fancy should teach us a lesson for the future. The majority of BS members did not want the new Guidelines and I believe that the BS has responded in a constructive manner by listening to what its members want and making changes."

Fred Wright of Surrey (article: My view of those guidelines, November 2) said: "This amendment will go some way to resolving the problems fanciers have had with the BS Guidelines and I'm pleased with what the General Council has done, but I still believe the Guidelines need further work. I'm pleased they have backtracked and I think this small change will go some way to pleasing fanciers."

● For more information about the BS, see: www.budgerigarsociety.com or contact the BS office, tel: 01604 624549.