European Union Member States have endorsed a draft European Commission decision to ban imports from third countries of captive live birds other than poultry for commercial purposes, at a meeting of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCFCAH).

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These measures, which follow the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a bird held in quarantine in the UK last week, aim to strengthen further the EU’s defences against bird flu. The ban covers captive live birds other than poultry imported for commercial purposes. A separate decision regulates the movement of birds accompanying their owners which will be subject to certain conditions.


The ban on commercial imports of captive live birds and the regulation of movements from third countries of birds accompanying their owners (pet birds) will be effective immediately following adoption by the Commission expected in the next few days.


Birds will be allowed to be moved between approved zoos and similar institutions. Hatching eggs of non-poultry birds can be imported for use in authorised hatcheries if their shells are decontaminated upon arrival, or if they are being sent to zoos.


The decisions will apply until 30 November 2005, before which time SCFCAH will review the situation.

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