Importing conditions and quarantine requirements for birds
SUMMARY OF:
SUMMARY
WHAT DOES THE REGULATION DO?
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It specifies which birds may be imported into the EU and the conditions they must fulfil.
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It aims to ensure that certain birds do not bring diseases, such as avian influenza or Newcastle disease, with them.
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KEY POINTS
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Only birds from approved breeding centres in non-EU countries may be imported.
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The birds must have been bred in captivity, tested for viruses 1 to 2 weeks before being shipped and not been vaccinated against avian influenza.
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They must each have a health certificate and an individual identification number contained either on a leg-ring or in a microchip.
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Each EU country has approved quarantine centres to which the birds are transported in sealed vehicles within 9 hours of being inspected at the border.
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The birds must remain in quarantine for at least 30 days and, as a minimum precaution, must be examined at the start and end of their stay.
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During quarantine, samples of birds are tested for avian influenza and Newcastle disease.
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If a disease is confirmed, all the affected birds are killed and destroyed, the centre is cleaned and disinfected and no other birds may leave quarantine until the results of their own virus tests prove negative.
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If parrots, parakeets and cockatoos are found to be infected, they may be treated and must remain in quarantine until at least 2 months after the last case was recorded.
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National authorities must inform the European Commission within 24 hours of an outbreak of avian influenza or Newcastle disease.
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They must also file annual reports to the Commission on the number of birds imported, their mortality rate and all cases of disease discovered in quarantine.
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The legislation does not apply to poultry, pets, racing pigeons, birds for conservation programmes, zoos, circuses, amusement parks or experiments or to those imported from Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland or the Vatican state.
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FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?
It entered into force on 12 March 2013.
ACT
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 139/2013 of 7 January 2013 laying down animal health conditions for imports of certain birds into the Union and the quarantine conditions thereof (OJ L 47, 20.2.2013, pp. 1-17)
last update 05.01.2016