INFORMATION BULLETIN
Date: 8 June 2007
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Out of hours telephone 020 7270 8960
Deregulation of pet bird imports
Changes to UK pet bird import rules mean that owners can now bring their pet birds into the UK from the EU and certain other countries without quarantine or other special measures.
The deregulation means that owners are free to bring their pet birds into the UK provided that:
- There are five or fewer birds, and they are accompanied by their owner
- The birds are not intended for a commercial purpose
- The birds are not poultry as defined by EU law.
In addition the birds must not come from an area under official restrictions due to an avian influenza outbreak.
The decision follows a consultation carried out in February this year including an Animal Health risk assessment.
Under previous arrangements, pet birds arriving in the UK from the EU required individual licences to be issued by Animal Health, 35 days home quarantine and two veterinary inspections at the owners expense.
Rules on commercial importation of birds and importation of poultry remain unchanged.
Defra has also reiterated that all bird keepers and owners should remain vigilant and alert for signs of disease, and report any suspicions to their nearest Animal Health office.
The deregulation means that owners can bring pet birds into the UK from all EU Member States, plus Andorra, Croatia, Faeroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and Vatican City State.
Poultry as defined by EU law includes chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, ducks, geese, quails, partridges, ratites (e.g. ostriches, emus and rheas), pheasants and pigeons.
Further Information
For more information on importing birds into the UK, visit
End
Public enquiries: 08459 335577
News releases available on our website:
www.defra.gov.uk
Defra's aim is sustainable development
Page published: 1 June 2007