International trade: Importer Information Notes (IIN) for the importation of captive birds from other EU Member States and other specified European countries in England (IIN A/9)
Contents
- Important
- Introduction
- Import conditions for all captive birds
- Additional import conditions for psittacines only
- Additional import conditions for non-psittacines only (including racing pigeons)
- Endangered species
- Caution
Important
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These notes explain the conditions which apply to imports of captive birds from other EU Member States, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City state 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 will be found in the appropriate national legislation and European Community Directives and Decisions
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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. “Captive birds” are considered to be the types of birds usually kept as a hobby, for pleasure, scientific interest or sport, including racing pigeons and birds of prey.
2. This does not include poultry (as detailed below) or pigeons that are kept to produce eggs or meat for human consumption, or for breeding for those purposes, which would also fall into the poultry category. This also does not include “pet birds”. For guidance on importing pet birds and live poultry please see the relevant Importer Information Notes (IINs) on the Defra website.
3. “Poultry” is defined in Council Directive 90/539/EEC (as amended) as fowl, turkeys, guinea fowl, ducks, geese, quails, pigeons (not racing pigeons), partridges and ratites. These species are not permitted to be imported as “captive or pet birds” but must instead meet the requirements laid down in Community law for imports of live poultry (see IIN A/6).4. Zoo birds vaccinated against Avian Influenza (AI) coming to the UK from EU Member States require an import licence. Please contact the Animal Health Import Team (contact details below) for further information or an application form.
5. “Psittacines” are members of the parrot group, which includes budgies, lories, conures, parakeets, lovebirds, cockatiels, parrots, macaws and so on. There are different import conditions for psittacines, listed below, due to the fact that psittacines can carry an infection called psittacosis, which can cause severe flu-type symptoms in humans. All birds may carry this infection but psittacines can pass this to humans more easily.
Import conditions for all captive birds
Premises of origin
6. The premises of origin must be officially registered with the competent veterinary authority in the country of origin. The exporter is responsible for arranging registration with the local animal health authorities.
Importer notification to AHDOs
7. Importers must notify their local AHDO of the intended import(s) at least 24 hours in advance of its arrival. This can be a letter, fax or email stating their name and address, the address that the birds are being imported to (if different), the date and estimated time of arrival of the import(s), the number and type of birds, the address and country of origin and how the birds will be travelling. This is important for purposes of disease risk monitoring and because no quarantine will need to be served in the UK once the birds arrive.
Welfare of animals during transport
8. Importers are reminded that they must comply with rules on the welfare of animals during transport. If unfamiliar with the rules, importers should contact Defra’s Welfare Branch on 020 7904 6576 or the Animal Health Welfare in Transport Section on 0845 603 8395 or visit: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare
Additional import conditions for Psittacines only
Identification
9. Each bird must be individually identified with either a leg ring or by microchip.
Health certification
10. The bird(s) must be accompanied by a health certificate that is signed by an official veterinarian in the country of origin. The veterinarian must examine the bird(s) within 48 hours of export, certifying that the birds do not come from, and have not been in contact with birds from, a holding on which psittacosis has been diagnosed in the past 2 months and that they do not come from a holding or an area covered by restrictions due to an outbreak of Newcastle disease or avian influenza or where avian influenza has been diagnosed in the last 30 days.
Additional import conditions for non-Psittacines only (including racing pigeons)
Health statement
11. Imports of non-Psittacines must be accompanied by a health statement signed by the seller or the exporter in the country of origin stating that the bird(s), at the time of export, do not show any obvious signs of disease and that they do not come from a holding or an area covered by restrictions due to an outbreak of Newcastle disease or avian influenza.
Endangered species
12. Birds listed as endangered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) require a special CITES permit, known as an Article 10 notice. 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
13. For information about intra-community trade in and imports of bird, and other live animals and animal derived products, please contact:
Animal Health Import Team
Government Offices
Beeches Road
Chelmsford
Essex CM1 2RU
Tel: 01245 358383
E-mail: AHITchelmsford@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.
3. 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'.
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:
5 October, 2007
Page published: 9 June, 2006