IMPORT AND EXPORT OF CAPTIVE BIRDS LEAFLET

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IMPORT AND EXPORT OF CAPTIVE AND PET BIRDS

This leaflet explains what rules you need to comply with when
moving captive and pet birds between EU and non EU countries. It
covers both Psittacines (birds of the parrot group) and non-
Psittacines. It does not cover the import or export requirements for
breeding and/or productive poultry. For information on these
requirements please contact AHIT Chelmsford or Central
Operations, Carlisle respectively.
The leaflet is for guidance only. It does not provide all the
conditions laid down in EU legislation, national legislation or
those imposed by non-EU Countries and has no legal force.
Importers and Exporters must satisfy themselves that captive and
pet birds are imported and exported in accordance with all the
relevant legislation and conditions. The authoritative legal position
and conditions can be found in the appropriate national legislation,
European Community Directives and Decisions and via the
appropriate non EU Competent Authorities.

The leaflet does not cover situations where emergency safeguard
measures have been taken, e.g. to prohibit the movement of
certain animals between countries following the outbreak of a
serious disease in a country. In advance of any proposed trade
Importers and Exporters are advised to contact the appropriate
Competent Authorities to check if any safeguard measures are in
place that may obstruct trade.

CAPTIVE BIRDS

What are Captive birds?
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. Common examples are canaries,
budgerigars and parrots.

Exporting Captive Birds from GB to other EU Countries

What are the conditions for movement of all captive birds to
other EU Countries?
To be eligible for movement to another EU Country, captive birds
must:
- Come from registered premises (contact your local Animal Health
Office for advice on registering a premise);
- Come from a holding in which Avian Influenza (AI) has not been
diagnosed in the previous 30 days;
- Come from a holding and an area not subject to restrictions for
Newcastle disease;
- Show no signs of disease on the day of export.

What documentation do I need to move captive birds to
another EU Country?
- Psittacines must be accompanied by an official export health
certificate signed by your nominated Official Veterinarian (OV).
NonPsittacines must be accompanied by a declaration signed by
the exporter or his agent (i.e. owners declaration) confirming that
the birds do not show obvious signs of disease at the time of export
and the premises of origin are not subject to any animal health
restrictions.
If transporting as part of an economic activity:
- All exports must be accompanied by an Animal Transport
Certificate (i.e. a document or documents that record the birds
origin and ownership, places of departure and destination, date and
time of departure and expected duration of the journey.
- The transporter must carry a valid transporter Authorisation under
Council Regulation (EC) 1/2005 and, if required by the member
state(s) of transit and destination, a Vehicle Approval Certificate

How do I obtain a official export health certificate for
Psittacines?
You should obtain an application form from Animal Healths Central
Operations Unit for Exports, Carlisle, and return it to them at least
10 days before the date of export. The health certificate will be sent
to your nominated OV for completion. If you do not know the name
of the nominated OV in your area, your local Animal Health office
will be able to advise you.

How do I obtain an owners declaration for nonPsittacines?
It is up to the owner or his agent to provide a declaration containing
the full details of the consignment, the name and addresses of the
consignee and the name and addresses of the consignor, and
addresses of the premises of origin and destination. This
declaration must be signed and dated on the day of export and
must also contain the following statement I confirm that the birds in
this consignment are not showing obvious signs of disease and the
premises of origin are not subject to any animal health restriction

Importing Captive Birds from other EU Countries to GB

What are the conditions for import of captive birds from EU
Countries?
Imports of captive birds from another EU country must meet the
requirements described above for their export to another EU
country. Therefore they must be sourced from premises approved
by the Competent Authority in the country of origin, meet the same
health requirements and be accompanied by the same
documentation. Importers must also supply their local Animal
Health Office with notification, in writing, of the intended import at
least 24 hours prior to its arrival in the UK.
Export Movements between EU and Non-EU Countries
What are the conditions for export of captive birds to non-EU
Countries?
Different non-EU countries will have different requirements
consult Central Operations, Carlisle. If there is no export health
certification in place for the country you want to export to, you may
be asked to obtain the appropriate import requirements from the
importing country's Competent Authority.

Import Movements between EU and Non-EU Countries

What are the conditions for movement of captive birds from
non-EU Countries to EU Countries?
In line with the rules laid down in Community law, captive birds may
be imported into the UK from approved non-EU Countries. As
specified in Council Regulation 318/2007 captive birds may be
imported from countries which are currently approved for imports of
breeding or productive poultry, other than ratites and must come
from approved breeding establishments. These approved countries
are listed in columns 1 and 3 in Part I of Annex I of Commission
Regulation (EC) 798/2008. For imports of captive birds from non-
EU Countries, importers should see
http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/animaltrade/imports/iins/birds/a1
0.htm or contact the Animal Health Import Team (AHIT)
Chelmsford, for information. Please be aware, all captive birds
imported into the UK from Third Countries are subject to post
import quarantine at an approved avian quarantine facility.
Do I need health certification to move captive birds from non -
EU Countries to the UK? All captive birds imported into the UK
must be accompanied by an original, valid health certificate in
accordance with the model laid down in Annex III of Council
Regulation (EC) No. 318/2007.
PET BIRDS

What are pet birds?
Pet birds are all species of birds (except poultry i.e. fowl, turkeys,
guinea fowl, ducks, geese, quails, pigeons, partridges and ratites))
which are accompanied by their owners, or by another person
directly responsible for them on behalf of the owner during their
movement and are not intended to be sold or transferred to another
owner.
Exporting Pet Birds from GB to other EU Countries
Different EU countries will have different requirements consult
your Central Operations, Carlisle. If there is no export health
certification in place for the country you want to export to, you may
be asked to obtain the appropriate import requirements from the
importing country's Competent Authority.

Importing Pet Birds from other EU Countries to GB

What shall I do to import pet birds?
Five or fewer pet birds may be imported per person, or a natural
person responsible for the pet birds. No pet birds imported can be
for re-sale or other commercial purposes. For guidance on
IMPORT AND EXPORT OF CAPTIVE BIRDS LEAFLET
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importing pet birds please see the relevant Importer Information
Notes (IINs) on the Defra website at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/animaltrade/imports/iins/birds/ind
ex.htm or contact the Animal Health Import Team (for EU) - see
contact details below.

Exporting pet birds from GB to Non-EU countries

What are the conditions for exports of pet birds to non-EU
Countries?
Different non-EU countries will have different requirements
consult Central Operations, Carlisle. If there is no export health
certification in place for the country you want to export to, you may
be asked to obtain the appropriate import requirements from the
importing country's Competent Authority.


Import Movements between EU and Non-EU Countries
What conditions apply to imports of pet birds from non-EU
Countries?
Five or fewer pet birds may be imported per person, or a natural
person responsible for the pet birds. No pet birds imported can be
for re-sale or other commercial purposes.
For all imports of pet birds from non-EU countries, importers should
contact AHIT, Chelmsford for information (contact details below).
You may need to obtain a CITES permit. Please see CITES section
below.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS / INFORMATION

Are there any exceptions to rules for Avian Influenza (AI)
vaccinated captive birds?
There are separate conditions for AI vaccinated captive birds and
queries on these imports should be directed to your local Animal
Health Office. To find you local office and their contact details
please see http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalhealth/about-us/contact-
us/search/index.asp
Are there any requirements for quarantine?
Captive birds imported into the UK from an approved Non-EU
Country must complete a minimum of 30 days quarantine in an
approved quarantine facility or centre. Imported birds should be
transported directly from the Border Inspection Post (BIP) of entry
in the UK to an approved quarantine facility or centre. All
quarantine and inspection costs will be met by the importer.

CITES
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
(CITES) applies to all movements of captive and pet birds. For
details on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species controls and permits see contact details below.

What welfare requirements do I have to meet to transport the
birds?
Birds must be fit for the intended journey and suitable provision
made for their care during transit. During transport by air,
consignments must comply with the International Air Transport
Association (IATA) Live Animal Regulations. European Regulation
(EC) no. 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport
applies to the commercial transportation of birds by road, rail, air
and sea. Exporters are reminded that they must comply with rules
on the welfare of animals during transport. If unfamiliar with the
rules, please contact Defras Animal Welfare Branch on:
020 7238 5865
or the Animal Health Welfare in Transport Helpline on:0845 603
8395
or visit:
www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/welfare/transport/index.htm


Contraventions
It is an offence to export birds which do not comply with the rules
laid down in Council Directive 92/65/EEC and proceedings can be
taken against persons illegally exporting birds under the provisions
of the Animal and Animal Products (Import and Export) (England)
Regulations 2006 (as amended) and similar Regulations in
Scotland and Wales.
Useful addresses
For information about intra-Community trade or imports of live birds
(including conservation birds and AI vaccinated zoo birds), or other
animals and animal derived products please contact:

Animal Health Import Team,
International Trade Centre for Imports,
Government Buildings,
Beeches Road,
Essex, CM1 2RU
Tel no: 01245 454860
Fax no: 01245 351162
e-mail: AHITChelmsford@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk

For details on CITES (The Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species) controls and permits contact;
Defra
Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service
2 The Square, Temple Quay
Bristol BS1 6EB
Tel: 0117 372 8168

For information about exports of live birds, or other animals and
animal derived products, please contact:
Animal Health
Central Operations Unit for Exports
Hadrian House
Wavell Drive
Carlisle
CA1 2TB
Email: centralops.carlisle@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk

For a list of all Local Animal Health Offices in England, Scotland
and Wales, please see link below.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalhealth/about-us/contact-
us/search/index.asp