Animal Health CITES News

CITES Bulletin

wed, 11 Aug 2009 12:28:15 GMT

The autumn edition of the CITES bulletin can be found here

Amendment to Cites Regulations

wed, 11 Aug 2009 12:28:15 GMT

11 August 2009 – Amendment to The Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997 (COTES) came into force.

Changes to Bird Registiratons

wed, 13 May 2009 13:25:16 GMT

There have been changes to the Bird Registration requirements.

WLRS achieves Customer Service Excellence award

Thurs, 27 Apr 2009 12:05:26 GMT

At the end of 2008 WLRS was granted the Customer Service Excellence award.

Guidance on minimising costs

Thurs, 9 Apr 2009 10:05:42 GMT

New guidance issued on minimising costs for CITES applications.

Registration of Schedule 4 birds in Scotland

Mon, 6 Apr 2009 16:15:52 GMT

The Minister for Environment agreed to amend Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (Bird Registration) in Scotland so that a consistent legislative position is applied across Great Britain.

Registration of Schedule 4 birds in Wales

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:15:52 GMT

On the 5th January 2009 the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing agreed to amend Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (Bird Registration) in Wales so that a consistent legislative position applied across Great Britain.

Guidance for applicants on new CITES charges

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:15:50 GMT

From the 6th April 2009 Defra is introducing a revised fee regime for all CITES applications. Detailed guidance on how the new charges will effect CITES applications can be found here:

Guidance for waiving of fees on new CITES charges

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:15:50 GMT

For general guidance notes on the waiving of fees for applications for CITES licences click here:

Defra announces a new charging system for CITES licences

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:31:50 GMT

Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) licences are required to import, export and re-export listed species such as reptiles, birds of prey, coral and orchids.

Animal Health’s Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service are responsible for handling applications and issuing licences.

Changes to the Bird Registration requirements in England

Tue, 22 Sep 2008 13:02:55 GMT

There have been changes in the registration requirements in England, and in the ringing requirements in all three countries.

Bird Registration - Announcement on Review of Schedule 4

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:15:32 GMT

Following public consultation, changes have been made to the Schedule 4 list of birds required to be registered. These come into effect from 1 October 2008.

Questionnaire from the International Zoo Veterinary Group

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:50:46 GMT

Animal Health have recently sent out a questionnaire to tortoise breeders on marking methods for juvenile tortoises. Please be reassured that this was sent out by WLRS on behalf of the IZVG, and your names and addresses were not released to them. Please accept our apologies for any anxiety caused.

Summary of Responses to the Charging Consultation

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:15:16 GMT

In February 2008, Defra launched a consultation to invite views on proposals to introduce a full cost recovery charging regime for processing and issuing CITES licences. The summary of responses is now available on Defra's website

US CITES Management Authority require validation to clear shipments

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:35:16 GMT

We have been contacted by the US CITES Management Authority who have advised us that under revised CITES regulations the US inspection authorities will not clear shipments which have not been validated. Therefore you should ensure that all CITES documents are validated or certified by the stamp or seal and signature of the inspecting authority in box 27 at the time of (re)export. The inspecting authority must note the actual quantity of specimens being (re) exported otherwise goods may be seized. Items that are posted must also be validated.

Update on the export ban on birds due to avian influenza

Fri, 23 May 2008 13:55:16 GMT

Under OIE rules official freedom from Notifiable Avian Influenza (NAI) will be restored 3 months after final cleansing and disinfection of the premises has been completed. This process was completed on 29 April 2008 and we expect to be declared officially free by the end of July 2008. See link for more.

CITES Bulletin - Spring 2008 - Amendment

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:00:16 GMT

CITES Bulletin - Spring 2008 - Amendment to the Spring 2008 CITES Bulletin: To clarify the position on primates: Only those applicants who have their premises Balai Approved must first ensure that they have spoken with the Balai Section of Animal Health and cleared that they have permission under this licensing regime to move/sell/dispose of their primates. Those keepers who are not Balai Approved do not need to engage with our colleagues in the Balai Section and can make their applications directly to WLRS.

New EU regulation published

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:00:16 GMT

New EU regulation published: Commission Regulation (EC) No. 318/2008 which comes into effect on 11 April and will replace Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1332/2005

Cheques made payable to Animal Health

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:00:16 GMT

As from 1 April cheques for applications to the Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service should be made payable to 'Animal Health.' rather than "Defra" or "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs". Cheques made out to Defra after 1 April will be returned to the applicant.'

Consulation on Cost Recovery

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:00:16 GMT

A Consultation on introducing a full cost recovery charging regime for CITES licences has been published. The closing date for comments is 6 May 2008.

Bird Registration is retained

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:00:16 GMT

A decision to retain and modernise the bird registration scheme in England was announced today.

Summary of responses on Ports of Entry consultation

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 11:00:16 GMT

Ports of Entry, the summary of responses on the consultation on the review and update of the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Designation of Ports of Entry) Regulations 1985 has been published.