Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 142: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress made on halting the inappropriate importation of parrots and canaries into the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32870/06]

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 168: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to stop the illegal import of exotic birds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32745/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 168 together.

Following the outbreak of avian influenza in late 2003 in south-eastern Asia, the European Commission adopted a series of protection measures in relation to the disease. These measures included, in particular, additional movement controls on birds accompanying their owners coming into the EU from third countries and the prohibition of import into the EU of captive birds from third countries. These restrictions are expected to remain in place at least until the end of 2006.

The provisions of the Commission Decision concerning the movement of birds accompanying their owners, stipulate that the import of exotic birds into the EU from third countries (accompanying their owners) can take place only in the context of a permanent change of residence and is then limited to importations of individual consignments of five or fewer birds. Stringent conditions must be complied with, including pre or post-importation quarantine. Advance notification of all such importations must be given to my Department and, since 1 January 2006, there have been only 6 such consignments notified.

Intra-Community trade in exotic birds is permitted under EU rules, which do not specify a quarantine requirement. Such imports must comply with the requirements of a General Authorisation issued under the European Communities (Diseases of Animals Acts, 1966 and 1979 Orders) (General Authorisations for Imports) Regulations 1985, which provide that the birds must:

come from a holding which has been registered for export by the competent authority of the country of origin in accordance with Article 4 of Council Directive 92/65/EEC;

come from a holding in which Avian Influenza has not been diagnosed in the 30 days preceding the dispatch;

come from a holding and an area not subject to restrictions under Council Directive 92/66/EEC introducing Community measures for the control of Newcastle Disease;

be accompanied by a declaration to this effect completed and signed by the owner of the hobby birds on the day of movement;

in the case of psittacidae, be accompanied by a certificate signed by an official veterinarian of the country of export.

In addition, advance notice is required to be given of the importation and for animal disease control measures, an official notification of the consignment (TRACES) is dispatched from the country of origin to the country of destination.

While my Department undertakes some inspections at points of import, it is precluded, by EU rules, from inspecting all import consignments. However a spot-check regime is in place based on risk assessment for disease purposes.

In the context of avian influenza, my Department has introduced a robust range of precautionary measures and fully implements all EU controls, including those relating to the importation of exotic birds. It should be noted that imports of pet birds from within the EU represent a relatively low risk to Ireland's health status, compared with wild birds whose entry into this country cannot be controlled or certified by competent authorities.