Importer Information Note (IIN) for the importation of pet birds from Third Countries (countries outside the EU) into England (IIN A/12)
Contents
- Important
- Introduction
- Conditions applicable to imports from third countries
- Endangered species
- Caution
Important
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These notes explain the conditions which apply to imports of pet birds from Third Countries into England.
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These notes should be read in conjunction with the notes describing the veterinary checks applicable to all live animals and genetic material imported into England (Importer Information Note IIN A/1).
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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. Outbreaks and procedure information can be found in our Customer Information Notes (CINs) and within our Declarations website.
Introduction
1. “Pet birds” are considered to be all species of birds (except poultry as detailed below) which are accompanying their owners, or a natural person responsible for such animals on behalf of the owner during their movement, and are not intended to be sold or transferred to another owner. For guidance on importing live birds, and other animals and animal derived products, please see the relevant Importer Information Notes (IINs) available on the Defra website.
2. For import conditions for pet birds coming into England from EU Member States, Andorra, Croatia, the Faeroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City State please see IIN A/11.
3. Pet birds or family pet birds imported into the United Kingdom must be accompanied by a "Family Pet Bird Import Licence", which is issued by Chelmsford Animal Health Divisional Office.
Conditions applicable to imports from third countries
4. For all imports of pet birds from third countries, importers should contact Chelmsford Animal Health Divisional Office for information:
Animal Health Divisional Office
Beeches Road
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 2RU
Tel: 01245 358383 (option 4)
Fax: 01245 351162
Email: AHITChelmsford@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk
Endangered species
5. 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:
Animal Health Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service
Floor 1
Zone 17
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol BS1 6EB
Tel - 0117 372 8168
Email - wildlife.licensing@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk
Caution
1. 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.
2. 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
3. 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'.
4. 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:
18 February, 2008
Page published: 9 June, 2006