Live Animal Imports: Racing Pigeons (as part of a race)

1. There are two categories of racing pigeon movements.

a. If you wish to permanently move a racing pigeon to Ireland and keep it here, i.e. the bird is going to reside in Ireland, please see the page on importing captive birds.

Please note: Currently there is no quarantine facility for captive birds in Ireland, for this type of movement these birds must be imported through another EU member state which has quarantine facilities.

b. If you are importing a racing pigeon just to release as part of a race, i.e. released in Ireland but immediately returning to the country of origin as part of that race and not staying in Ireland, this page will deal with these types of movements.

2. 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 racing pigeons.

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

Consignments of racing pigeons imported into Ireland to be released immediately returning to the country of origin as part of a race, shall only be permitted to enter into Ireland if the animals of the consignment:

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

2.Come from a registered establishment where there has been no outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza or infection with Newcastle disease within a 10km radius for at least 30 days prior to dispatch

3.Come from an establishment where vaccination against Newcastle disease is carried out

4.Are vaccinated against Newcastle disease of which complied the conditions as set out in point 1 of Annex XV of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692

5.Have not have been vaccinated against highly pathogenic avian influenza

6.Originate from a country that is authorised for the entry of the racing pigeons into Ireland (authorisation must be granted prior to the date of dispatch)

7.Are released immediately, under the control of the competent authority, to the country of origin

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 animal health certificate Racing Pigeons - Immediate Release- racing pigeons immediately released after entry into the Union (Chapter 34a)

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-A), 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 the Annex 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 racing pigeons may only enter Ireland through an approved Border Control Post (BCP) designated ‘O’ for other animals that includes birds. The list of designated BCPS can be found here.

Dublin airport, Dublin Port and Rosslare port BCPs are all approved for ‘O’ animals that includes birds.

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 and licence 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. Racing pigeons will be accepted for ‘monitoring to destination’. Part III of the CHED must be completed by the relevant competent authority with responsibility at the establishment of destination as indicated on 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.