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Import of Birds

IMPORT OF PET BIRDS

Pet birds are birds travelling with their owners on change of residence or for vacation purposes. It only applies to 5 birds or less.

Import of pet birds from EU Member States is by way of General Authorisation (i.e. no licence required). Importers must give the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food advance notification of the intended import. The birds must be accompanied by an owner's declaration.

Import of pet birds from non-EU Member States is only permitted from an OIE listed country. The birds must be accompanied by an import licence issued by the Department and a health certificate, which complies with the model health certificate in Commission Decision 2007/25/EC.

Prospective importers must contact the Department of the Environment, National Parks and Wildlife Division with regard to any CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) certificates which may be required. Phone: 01 8883240.

IMPORT OF PIGEONS

Breeding Pigeons
Import of breeding pigeons from EU Member States is by way of General Authorisation (i.e. no licence required). However there are certain conditions attached. Importers must give the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food advance notification of the intended import. The birds must be accompanied by the appropriate health certificate in accordance with Council Directive 2009/158/EC and a veterinary certificate stating that the birds have been vaccinated against Paramyxovirus 1.

Import of breeding pigeons from non-EU Member States is only permitted from those regions/countries listed in Commission Regulation 798/2008 as amended by Commission Regulation 215/2010. The birds must be accompanied by an import licence issued by the Department and the appropriate health certificate, in accordance with Commission Regulation 798/2008 as amended by Commission Regulation 215/2010. The birds must be inspected at a Border Inspection Post approved for the import of live animals. There are no such facilities in Ireland (See BIPS above).

Racing Pigeons
Import of racing pigeons from EU Member States is by way of General Authorisation. Importers must give the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food advance notification of the intended import. The birds must be accompanied by an owner's declaration and a veterinary certificate stating that the birds have been vaccinated against Paramyxovirus 1.

Import of racing pigeons from non-EU Member States is only permitted from those regions/countries listed in Commission Regulation 798/2008 as amended by Commission Regulation 215/2010. The birds must be accompanied by an import licence issued by the Department and the appropriate health certificate in accordance with Commission Regulation 318/2007 as amended by Commission Regulation 239/2010. The birds must undergo a specified quarantine period and upon first entry to the EU the birds must be checked at an EU Border Inspection Post approved for the inspection of live animals. There are no BIP or quarantine facilities in Ireland so this will have to be undertaken in another Member State (See BIPS above).

Pigeons imported from Northern Ireland for race release will require an import licence issued by this Department. Pigeons exported from Ireland to another EU Member State for race release will require an export licence issues by this Department.

All enquiries in relation to such imports should be directed to Live Trade Section, Animal Health Division, Floor 3 Centre, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. Tel: 01 6072862.