Live Animal Imports: Captive Birds

1.Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (‘Animal Health Law’) and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 lay down the rules for the entry into the Union of captive birds.

‘Captive Birds’means any birds other than poultry that are kept in captivity, including those for shows, races, exhibitions, breeding and selling. This does not include birds kept for the production of meat, eggs for consumption or other products, or the purpose of breeding birds for these reasons.

1.Captive birds must comply with the general import conditions for live animals on gov.ie - Live Animal Imports (www.gov.ie).

2.The list of countries, territories or parts thereof authorised for the export of captive birds and germinal products of captive birds are laid down in Annex VI of Regulation (EU) 2021/404.

3.Consignments of captive birds and their hatching eggs must come from an establishment approved by the competent authority of the third country.

4.Captive birds must comply with the required residency period as laid out in Table 2 of Annex III to Regulation (EU) 2020/692.

1.Consignments of captive birds shall only be permitted to enter into the Union if the animals of the consignment;

1) Are identifiable with an individual identification number that includes an iso code and unique serial number

2) They have not been vaccinated against highly pathogenic avian influenza

3) Have not been vaccinated against infection with Newcastle disease, or if vaccinated, all animal health requirements as laid out in Commission delegated Regulation (EU)2020/692 must be adhered to

4) They have been subjected to a virus detection test for highly pathogenic avian influenza infection and infection with Newcastle disease virus with negative results within the period of 7-14 days prior to the date of loading for dispatch to the Union

5) Comply with the specific animal health requirements for the entry of captive birds or hatching eggs of captive birds as appropriate.

2. There has been no case of highly pathogenic avian influenza or infection with Newcastle disease virus within a 10km radius of the establishment of origin for at least 30 days prior to the date of loading for dispatch to the Union

3. Avian chlamydiosis has not been confirmed on the establishment of origin for a period of at least the 60 days prior the date of loading for dispatch to the Union and /or measures provided for in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU)2020/692 have been provided for

4. Captive birds need to quarantine on arrival into Ireland for at least 30 days as per Commission Delegated Regulation (EU)2020/692. Please note: Currently there is no quarantine facility for captive birds in Ireland, these birds must be imported through another EU member state which has quarantine facilities.

1. Consignments imported from third countries must be accompanied by the relevant health certificate, which conforms to the models laid down in Regulation (EU) 2021/403 and which is signed by an official veterinarian or inspector of the veterinary authority in the country of origin.

Model Captive birds other than racing pigeons (Chapter 34)

Model HE Captive birds (Chapter 35)

1. Consignments of live animals entering the EU must be inspected at an EU-approved Border control Post (BCP) where Member States' official veterinarians ensure they fulfil all the requirements provided for in the EU legislation.

2. The person responsible for the load being imported (the importer or a customs agent acting on their behalf) must give the BCP at the intended point of entry advance notification of the arrival of the consignment.

There is a required minimum pre-notification notice period of at least 24 hours’ notice in advance of the consignment’s arrival.

Failure to submit correct documentation within this timeline may result in significant delays in the consignment being processed through the Border Control Post.

Pre-notification is given by the submission of Part 1 of the Common Health Entry Document (CHED-P), as is laid down in Commission Implementing Regulation (EC) No. 2019/1715, through the online TRACES system.

3. Copies of other supporting documentation associated with the consignment should be submitted at this time as well - such as the Health Certificate, Invoice, Packing list and so on.

4. Necessary documents and logistical information must be submitted 24 hours in advance via the DAFM Import Portal

1. All live animals from third countries require veterinary checks at their point of entry into the European Union, as listed in Annex I to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/632.

2. EU harmonised import controls are carried out at an approved Border Control Post (BCP) that is designated to deal with that species of animal. A consignment of captive birds may only enter Ireland through an approved Border Control Post (BCP) designated ‘O’ for other animals

Dublin Airport, Dublin Port and Rosslare port BCPs are all approved for ‘O’ animals.

3. Providing all the documentation has been submitted correctly and within the correct timeframes, a large proportion of the documentary check can be commenced in advance of the consignment’s arrival. This includes examination of the veterinary certificate and other documents accompanying a consignment.

The original hard copy of the health certificate must travel with the consignment and will be checked and held at the BCP at the point of entry into the EU.

4. Provided all is in order with the documentary check, the consignment of live animals will then be subject to an identity check and physical check with/without sampling as appropriate at the BCP.

5. Upon satisfactory completion of the required checks, the decision is entered in Part 2 of the CHED which must accompany the consignment to the first place of destination referred to in the CHED.

6. If the consignment does not meet the import requirements, the consignment may be rejected entry and re-exported or in exceptional circumstances, humanely destroyed if necessary.