Additional guidance notes for parrot keepers
These notes are only for guidance and are not a full statement of the law. If you need
points of law to be explained, you should get independent legal advice.
This page is available as a downloadable document here 
- Types of specimens controlled
- Controls on sales
- Controls on commercial use
- Types of Certificate
- Marking requirements
- Gifts
- List of Species
Types of Specimens controlled
Budgerigars (Melopsitticus undulatus) and Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) do not require any CITES licences. All other parrot species are listed on either Annex A or B of the Regulations that implement CITES in the EU. CITES documents are needed to import and export them to and from countries outside of the EU. If you wish to import or(re) export any CITES listed parrot species you should read Guidance Note 1.
The Rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri) is listed on Annex C. A self-completed import notification form must be presented to Customs when importing this species together with the (re)export permit or certificate of origin from the Management Authority of the exporting country. A CITES permit will also be required to (re)export it from the EU.
Those species listed on Annex A of the Regulation require special certificates before they may be used commercially within the EU. These are generally known as Article 10 Certificates. A list of Annex A parrots is included with this guidance note. If you wish to use them for commercial purposes then you should read Guidance Note 2.
Controls on sales
The purchase, sale, offer for sale and use/display for commercial purposes of Annex A parrots or their hybrids require a certificate issued by the UK or another EU Management Authority
This is known as an Article 10 certificate and is normally issued for the following :
- to allow the sale or exchange of specimens of species listed in annex A.
- to allow specimens to be advertised for sale
- to allow specimens to be displayed to the public in return for a fee
- to allow specimens to be used for commercial breeding purposes, i.e. where the offspring are intended to be sold the parent birds will require Article 10 certificates.
- to allow the movement of live Annex A specimens from the premises specified in the original import permit.
- where annex A-C specimens are being exported or re-exported from another EU Member State, to certify that these were lawfully imported or acquired within the community.
Controls on commercial use
This Regulation also controls the use of these species if you want to use them commercially. For example someone breeding parrots for sale will need a certificate for the parent birds even if it is not intended to sell the parents themselves. The parent birds are also subject to the same marking requirements as the offspring. These controls apply to any commercial use including hire, filming or photographing such specimens.
Types of Certificate
Whilst the layout of the application form is the same, two main types of certificate can be issued. These are ‘Specimen Specific’ certificates and ‘Transaction specific’ certificates.
- ‘Specimen Specific’ certificates
This is a ‘one-off’ certificate issued for the bird and not to the holder. It allows it to be used for all commercial purposes, regardless of who owns or holds the bird in any EU member state.
- ‘Transaction Specific’ certificates
In the interests of conservation, or where there are welfare implications, or where a bird is not permanently marked we are able to restrict a certificate to a specific holder. In such cases a ‘Transaction’ certificate may be issued instead of a Specimen Specific certificate. Transaction certificates may have some restrictions on the type of commercial activities and may be valid for one sales transaction by the named holder and are only valid for use in the UK. Any purchaser would need to obtain a new certificate before using the specimen for commercial purposes.
Unlike ‘Specimen Specific’ certificates, ‘Transaction Specific’ certificates cannot authorise such activities within another member state. A separate certificate from that country’s management authority will be required for these purposes.
Marking requirements
The marking requirements apply to live parrots that are being displayed or used for commercial purposes as well as those that are being sold. In order for an Article 10 certificate to be issued Annex A parrots must be marked as follows:
- Captive bred birds must be fittedwith an uniquely marked closed ring or, if this is not possible due to the physical or behavioural characteristics of the specimen concerned, an unalterable microchip transponder conforming to ISO Standards 11784:1996 and 11785:1996 (E).
- In the case of birds of unknown origin, they must be marked with a microchip transponder as described above. If this is not possible due to the physical or behavioural characteristics of the specimen concerned, they may be marked with a ring, band, tag, tattoo or other appropriate method.
These requirements may be waived or carried out at a later date, where you can show that the physical or behavioural characteristics at that time, do not allow the safe application of any marking method and a special condition may be included on the certificate to this effect.
Gifts and donations
You do not need a certificate if you want to give your birds away or use them for non commercial purposes, for example keeping them as pets. But if the recipient intends to use the specimen for commercial purposes they will need to apply for an Article 10 certificate to acquire it for that purpose. These certificates can not be issued after you have given the specimens away. Anyone who acquires a specimen as a gift should ask the giver for full details of its origin in writing as this information will be required should the new owner ever apply for an Article 10 certificate.
List of Species
A list is available here and also in the downloadable version of this guidance
Page last modified:08 January 2008
Page published:31 January 2008