Brussels, 12/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - As of 1 July 2007, the EU will have strict permanent legislation on the conditions in which live birds (falcons and parrots) can be imported into the EU from third countries. This decision was taken on 11 January by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health. Provisional measures had been set in place in October 2005 at the height of the avian flu epizootic, providing for the ban on imports of live birds from third countries into the EU (except for domestic fowl). Last December, the European Commission had announced its intention to replace this temporary embargo with strict permanent regulations, in the light of recommendations contained in the Opinion of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 14 November on the health and animal welfare risks linked to imports into the Community of birds other than poultry. EFSA had confirmed the risk of viral diseases spreading, such as bird flu and Newcastle disease, through imports of birds other than poultry (EUROPE 9319).
The characteristics of the new regulations for importing live birds into Europe from third countries are as follows:
More limited access: Under the new legislation, the list of countries approved to export live captive birds to the EU will be limited to countries already approved to export live poultry to the EU - the United States, Australia, some States of Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Israel and New Zealand. These countries have proven high standards of animal health, the Commission explains. Certain third countries which are geographically close to the EU and apply equivalent animal health conditions will be exempt from the provisions of the new Regulation. They are: Norway, Switzerland, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican.
Stricter criteria - no wild birds and identification: The new rules prohibit the import of birds captured in the wild. “Given the high risk of infection from wild birds, only birds bred in captivity and in approved breeding establishments will be allowed to enter the EU”, the Commission states. Controls in the exporting country will have to prove the absence of avian influenza and Newcastle disease, and birds destined for the EU may not be vaccinated against avian flu. All imported birds will have to be individually identifiable through a leg-ring or microchip.
Tighter quarantine conditions: “A minimum 30-day quarantine period” in an officially approved centre will be required for all imported captive birds. The imported birds will only be released from quarantine following a veterinary inspection. Tighter controls will apply with regard to the movement of the birds from the border inspection post to the quarantine facility. The Commission will draw up a list of the approved quarantine facilities and centres in each Member State, and annex the list to the Regulation.
Improved data collection: Member States must provide regular information on the import of captive birds and their quarantine conditions. According to the Commission, all these new regulations should allow the conditions of transport of these birds to be improved. (lc)