Relationship Between Members	Honesty	Treatment of Animals
Disclosures to Prospective Buyers	Buy/Sell Contracts	Identification
Related Birds	Illegal Activities	Importation
Advertising

Members should make prospective buyers aware of the existence of the Canadian Ostrich Association Code of Ethics and the fact that a copy may be obtained from the COA national office.

ITEM I: Relationship Between Members

A member shall not say anything about another member which would discredit the character of that member without undisputable evidence of violations of law or this code of conduct. Any such unfounded remarks shall be considered a violation of the Code of Ethics. If unethical conduct is encountered, the member shall report such conduct to the COA Ethics Committee in writing.

ITEM 2: Honesty

A member shall be honest in all dealings with other persons.
Included but not be limited to:

	Statements made by a member in person or in writing.
	Statements made by a member through advertising.
	Information furnished on any documents submitted such as insurance applications, transport permits, etc.

ITEM 3: Treatment of Animals

A member shall provide:

	A safe and sanitary environment.
	Proper space for the normal activity of ostriches.
	Optimum care during transportation.

ITEM 4: Disclosures to Prospective Buyers

Members shall disclose to a prospective buyer the following minimum information:

	Any diseases, infections, deformities or genetic defects of which the member is aware
	Age, lineage, breed type, records of fertility and egg production plus any other reasonable information asked for by the buyer, if available
	Disclose whether seller is the owner of the birds or a broker. If a broker, then furnish information about the owner of the birds.
	Disclose whether the birds are imported birds or domestically hatched. If imported, disclose the name of the country from which they came.
	If the buyer is purchasing less than 100% interest in the birds, the seller must disclose the percentage being sold. The names and addresses of the other owners must be furnished if requested by the buyer.

ITEM 5: Buy/Sell Contracts

Members shall perform contracts in a timely manner and shall structure the contract in such a way as (0 be fair to all parties, unless otherwise agreed. Minimum standards of fairness include the following:

	The right to inspect the birds at the time the agreement is negotiated unless specifically agreed otherwise.
	The right to refuse delivery of unhealthy, injured or deformed birds.
	The right to refuse delivery for any misrepresentation by the seller.
	The right to refuse delivery made after the contracted delivery date.
	The right to refuse delivery if the identification of the bird can not be confirmed
	The right to demand from seller an acceptable substitute bird, if available, as a result of the circumstances listed above, or to receive an immediate refund of any funds previously paid.

ITEM 6: Identification

Members shall use their best effort to ensure that any ostrich can be identified. Acceptable identification shall include but not be limited to, implanted microchips and/or branding. Once microchipped or branded, members shall not attempt to remove, replace or alter such identification without reasonable cause.

ITEM 7: Related Birds

Members will disclose to prospective buyers whether or not the ostriches sold are related.

ITEM 8: Illegal Activities

Members shall use all reasonable means to determine if the birds they buy might be stolen or illegally imported. Members shall report tot he appropriate authorities any suspicious or known illegal activity.

ITEM 9: Importation

Members shall not import ostriches or ostrich eggs into Canada except as allowed under Canadian law and regulations.

ITEM 10: Advertising

Members shall not be misleading in their commercial advertising claims. Any claim made, whether verbal or written, as to quality of quantity must be capable of being proved to a prospective buyer. Any claims made which imply that one breed (ostrich red, blue, black, cross, etc.) or that one type of ratite (ostrich, emu, rhea, etc.) is better than another must be backed by factual data.