Since November 1st, new European Commission regulations regarding the importation of birds have made the movement of stock within the EU simpler, by doing away with the need to apply for import licences.  In addition, there are new requirements for importations from countries outside the EU.  DEFRA has issued six General Licences to cover all these events.  The main requirements are:

EU Member States and Norway—General licence No. EGG/2176/01/GEN5

1. Issued under Article 4 of the importation of Birds, Poultry and Hatching Eggs Order 1979, covered by Council Directive 90/539/EEC Birds or Zoos and Conservation Programmes.  (extracts for Pheasants, Partridge & Quail).

2. Birds must come from a holding or business which is registered by a competent authority in the Member State of Origin.

3. The birds must be accompanied by a declaration, signed by the owner, containing at least the following three statements:

a). Birds must not have obvious signs of disease at the time of export.

b). Premises of origin must not be subject to health restrictions at the time of export.

c). Birds from third countries must have completed 30 days quarantine prior to export, and are free from quarantine restrictions.

4. The birds must not come from a holding in which avian influenza has been diagnosed in the 30 days prior to export.

5. The birds must not come from a holding or area subject to restrictions under measures that have been applied to combat Newcastle disease.

6. The importer must give at least 24 hours notice in writing to the Divisional Veterinary Manager responsible for the place of destination, of their intention to import the birds, specifying the nature of the consignment, its anticipated date of arrival and place of destination.

7. Article 10 requirements for birds under CITES still apply; permits should be applied for at least 30 days prior to the importation.

Importation of birds from outside the European Union and Norway General Licence No. EGG 2176/01/GEN2.

1. This licence is issued under Article 4 of the importation of Birds, Poultry and Hatching Eggs Order 1979, covered by the Council Directive 90/539/ECC Birds for Zoos and Conservation Programmes.  (Extracts for Pheasants, Partridge and Quails).

Contd.