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2. Birds can only be imported from those countries listed as members of the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) other than EU Members & Norway. Details obtainable from DEFRA Website — International Trade www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/int-trde/animl-im/cins/ai_cins.htm
3. Birds must originate from holdings which are registered by the competent authority of the exporting country.
4. Birds destined for England and Wales must be accompanied by an animal health certificate, signed by an official veterinarian in the country of origin, in the same form used for other captive birds an example of which is shown in Annex A to commission directive 2000/666/EC
5. Birds must be transported in cages or crates which must be numbered individually. The birds in each crate must be identified on the health certificate with the crate number.
6. The importer must provide written proof by a Local Veterinary Inspector, to the Border Inspection Post that a quarantine facility or centre is available, approved in accordance with Commission Directive 2000/66/EC, and that it will accept the birds. This only applies to birds entering England and Wales. Border Inspection Posts are Heathrow, Gatwick & Manchester Airports only.
7. All birds must be quarantined for at least 30 days in an approved quarantine facility or centre. During the quarantine period, inspections of the birds by an official Veterinarian and sampling and testing for avian influenza and Newcastle disease must be carried out in accordance with the procedures set out in Commission Directive 2000/66/EC. (The WPA is asking DEFRA for the importation of ornamental pheasants to be exempt from testing during quarantine
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and for them to be re-classified as Captive Birds, being that they will never become a part of the food chain, unlike Game Pheasants).
8. Birds being imported must be identified by means of a tamperproof leg ring or a microchip with a unique serial number.
9. Birds will only be released from quarantine by written authorisation of the Divisional Veterinary Manager responsible for the facility.
10. All post-import quarantine costs shall be borne by the importer.
11. The importer must give a least one day’s notice in writing of their intention of the importation, specifying the number, nature and ETA, to the official veterinarian of the border inspection post through which the birds are to be imported.
12. For those species which are covered by CITES, a CITES licence must be obtained for their importation 30 days prior to the intended importation date. Birds travelling by air must be in crates in accordance with IATA regulations. Failure to comply with above requirements may result in the seizure of specimens by HM Customs & Excise.
For more information or advice regarding the above given in Customer Information notes on Trade in Live Animals No. 2001/55: contact DEFRA—New imports Tel: 0207 904 6357 Fax: 0207 904 6395.
There are still a number of areas which require further clarification, not least within DEFRA itself but we are all trying to resolve these as quickly as possible in order that some of our vital conservation and breeding work is aided and not hindered by this legislation.
WPA NEWS - Gary Robbins
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