Importer Information Note for importation of captive birds from Third Countries (countries outside the EU) into England (IIN A/10)
Contents
- Important
- Introduction
- Approved Third Countries
- Pre-export testing
- Health certification
- Identification & container for travel
- Quarantine
- Endangered species
- Contact for further information
- Caution
Important
- These notes explain the conditions which apply to imports of captive birds from Third Countries (countries outside the EU) into England.
- These notes should be read in conjunction with the notes describing the veterinary checks applicable to all live animals imported into England (Importer Information Note IIN A/1).
- These notes are for guidance only. They do not give comprehensive coverage of all conditions laid down in EU and national legislation and have no legal force. Importers must satisfy themselves that captive birds are imported in accordance with all the relevant legislation. The authoritative legal position can be found in the appropriate national legislation and European Community Directives and Decisions.
- Personal data may be stored and processed by Defra on computer systems. Defra complies with the standards set by the Data Protection Act.
- NB: These notes may not cover situations where emergency safeguard action has been taken, e.g. to prohibit the importation of certain animals from certain countries following an outbreak of serious disease in those countries. Importers are advised to contact the Department to check if any safeguard action has been taken in relation to the animals/country of origin. Further information can be found on our Customer Information Notes (CIN) and Declarations webpages.
Introduction
The import rules for importing certain birds into the EU Community are laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No. 318/2007, which came into force on 1 July 2007. The regulation applies to all birds apart from the following exemptions:
- Birds of the “poultry” species (as defined in Council Directive 90/539/EEC). (For guidance on importing live poultry from Third Countries please see Importer Information Note IIN A/7);
- Birds intended for approved conservation programmes;
- “Pet birds”. (For guidance on importing pet birds please see the relevant Importer Information Notes)
- Birds intended for zoos, circuses, amusement parks or experiments;
- Birds destined for bodies, institutes or centres approved according to Article 13 of Balai directive 92/65/EEC (as amended); and
- Birds imported from Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, and the Vatican City state
There are separate conditions for AI vaccinated captive birds and queries on these imports should be directed to the Imports Team at the Chelmsford Animal Health Office (see contacts below). Queries on all other captive birds should be directed to the Lincoln International Animal Health Service Delivery Unit (see contacts below).
Approved Third Countries
In line with the rules laid down in Community law, captive birds may only be imported into the England from approved Third Countries.
As specified in Annex I of Council Regulation 318/2007 captive birds may only be imported from countries which are currently approved for imports of breeding or productive poultry, other than ratites. These approved countries are listed in columns 1 and 3 in Part I of Annex I of Commission Decision 2006/696/EC.
Member States are not permitted to allow imports from any Third Country which does not appear on the approved list.
Pre-export testing
All captive birds imported from Third Countries must be subjected to a laboratory virus detection test 7 to 14 days prior to export with negative results for any avian influenza or Newcastle disease virus.
Health certification
All captive birds imported into the Community must be accompanied by an original, valid health certificate in accordance with the model laid down in Annex III of Council Regulation (EC) No. 318/2007.
Identification & container for travel
All birds must be identified with an individual identification number by means of a uniquely marked seamlessly closed leg-ring or a microchip in accordance with Article 66(2) of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 865/2006.
ID numbers of leg-rings or microchips must bear at least the ISO code of the exporting Third Country performing the identification and a unique serial number. The ID number must be registered on the accompanying health certificate (see above) as well as on the outside of the container that the birds are being transported in.
All birds must be transported in new containers which must bear the unique ID number that corresponds with the ID number provided for on the accompanying health certificate.
Quarantine
Captive birds imported into England from an approved Third Country must complete a minimum of 30 days quarantine in an approved quarantine facility or centre. Imported birds shall be transported directly from the Border Inspection Post (BIP) of entry in England to an approved quarantine facility or centre, a list of which can be found in Annex V to Council Regulation 318/2007.
During the quarantine period an official veterinarian will inspect the quarantined birds at the beginning and end of the quarantine period and further inspections may be carried out if the official veterinarian feels it necessary due to the current disease situation. All quarantine and inspection costs will be met by the importer.
Endangered species
Birds listed as endangered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) require a CITES permit. For information and permits, importers must apply to:
Defra
Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol
BS1 6EB
Tel: 0117 372 8168
Contact for further information
For information on imports of birds and their products please contact:
Import Team
Animal Health Divisional Office
Beeches Road
Chelmsford
Essex CM1 2RU
Tel no. 01245 358383
Fax no. 01245 351162
E-mail. aho.chelmsford@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk
Caution
- Consignments presented for import at a UK Border Inspection Post (BIP) must be accompanied by the original health certificate(s); faxed or photocopied certificates are not acceptable. The Official Veterinary Surgeon (OVS) will carry out veterinary checks (for which a charge will be levied) in accordance with EU legislation. On completion of these checks he will issue a Common Veterinary Entry Document (CVED). The CVED should accompany the consignment to the first point of destination. The OVS will retain the original certification. Consignments checked in another Member State must be accompanied by a CVED issued from the point of entry into the European Community.
- Whilst every attempt is made to keep this information note current, import conditions may change, and importers are responsible for checking the current status of the requirements. Safeguard measures which prohibit imports from countries affected by animal diseases, or other public or animal health hazards can prohibit or restrict import at very short notice. Requirements can be checked on the Defra website. Outbreaks and procedure information can also be found in our Customer Information Notes (CINs).
Alternatively, amendments to EU legislation are available on the Commission website.
- Community legislation – consolidated texts
Consolidated texts, which integrate the basic instruments of Community legislation with their amendments and corrections in a single, non-official document, are available on the Commission website. Each consolidated text contains a list of all legal documents taken into account for its construction. Therefore, a comparison with the data in the 'Directory of Community legislation in force' will allow users to easily check how up to date the consolidated text is.
Texts provided in this section are intended for information only. Please note that these texts have no legal value. For legal purposes please refer to the texts published in the 'Official Journal of the European Communities'.
- Importers should note that the information given relates only to animal health conditions of import. It does not give guidance on other controls which may need to be met. An information page, giving details of other organisations which importers may need to consult, is available.
Page last modified:
12 November, 2007
Page published: 9 June, 2006