importing BOP

[BrianM]

what sort of money, time , paperwork is involved in importing BOP , is it worth it ? has anybody done it?

[Kevin Massey]

brian i asked the same question some where..........but bu gger me can i find it?

kev

[BrianM]

8) maybe its a big secret :shock:

[Afshimo]

hiya,

Our centre is gettin a zoo licence. I heard tell, best thing is to contact a centre with a licence to import/export, then find ure bird u looking for, ask to pay for the bird and the shipping (around £500 I think? for diff sizes of birds) Aslong as the centre has an icolated mews, over 30m away from other birds of prey, and the new bird can be vetted, with all the right documents, its ok and above bord.

And in bullet points:
> find centre with zoo licence
> find the bird, ask breeder, check shipping rates and cost of bird including the vet's bills later on
> tell the centre about the bird
> check centre has quarantine that you can borrow (may have to pay)
> buy bird, ship bird over
> Have bird vetted
> quarantine bird for 28 days? not sure, wil check for u
> then carry on as normal!

I'm not sure if this is exactly what you do, just check the laws and stuff, u need certain documents. Its expensive for shipping, vets bills, and if u cant get it, quarantine station.

eg, female harris hawk, bargain at £150. £500 for shipping, £100 for vets bills, and £50 for quarantine station. In total: £800 for a bird that cost £150! (not proper prcies - only example!!!!) Best thing to ship is eagles, rare birds or join in with other ppl wanting birds from same place - cuts shipping prices down dramaticaly!

Need more info?? I'll b at centre sat.sun - so e-mail me lol, I will find out if I can!

[Miguel]

Hi Hanah, do you know were can we get some ravens and secretary birds and maybe caracaras?? Can't find them in Europe...

[Afshimo]

helo, there was a pair of ravens for sale in cage and aviary magazine, but they're gone. Not sure about secretary birds, I only know JPJ has a couple. I'll have a nosey round as normal.

Anyone else know of where to get the above birds?

[Jack Merlin]

I heard somewhere recently that you do not need a zoo licence to import a bird of prey, only somewhere suitable as an isolation mews. I have imported hatching eggs (quail) and it was not too difficult -- except the exporters screwed up on the documentation!

It is a lot easier to import from the EU.

The risks of cross infection would surely be more serious in a zoo, where there are many other birds and animals, than at a private address? But then DEFRA never did follow logic.

[Afshimo]

lol, thats sounds a better idea, have an isolation mews at a private home.. where did u here bout that Jack Merlin?

I'd love to import an eagle one day, still sticking to my tawny eagle first, black eagle and eventually a harpy eagle lol. I dream big!

[Miguel]

lol

You really dream big!! Not impossible tough... :)
Thanks Hannah

[Jack Merlin]

Sometimes the information dished out by DEFRA varies according to the person you speak to. I always ask if they will confirm it in writing or refer me to the relevant regulation or Act of Parliament. Can't remember where I saw it but I cannot think of any reason why it should not be true.

I was told it was next to impossible to import hatching eggs from outside the EU by an "expert" I was referred to by the World Pheasant Association. In fact, I found it relatively easy. The problem is usually to find someone who will export to the UK.

[OhMyGod]

Hi brian, not totally sure but I know a guy who got a couple black gyrs from the states, these birds were young imprints and had never been fed by people directly. However he was not allowed to see the birds or have any contact with them as he has many other birds at home and the zoo, nor was he allowed to have any say in their feeding routine for the six weeks it takes to quarentine, so I presume they were just thrown food by someone. Not a very good idea for a young imprint. I've heard people say they will never do it again, as I don't think the system works too well, however you may find a good quarentine station somwhere where your birds will be taken care of properly.

If you like rare breeds then I guess we have no choice but to import, but I would seriously try and buy from uk first. maybe somone with some good experiences with importing will come out and say somthing posative.

But i don't really see how we could import imprints properly.

What are you wanting to get hold of??

[BrianM]

erm well i WAS thinking of antons ferugg/harris,,, but its looking increasingly unlikely now

[OhMyGod]

Ok then I guess you have to ask yourself 'how much do I want to fly this bird?' I'm sure you havn't flown one of these before, and I'm guessing its perent reared so it may be ok if you can find a suitable place to quarantine before the moult. Then free loft it for a while to moult.

Sounds like it could be a good bird to fly in your part of the country though. I would find out for sure EXACTLY what it will cost etc

[Jack Merlin]

A first step might be to telephone your local Animal Health Department of DEFRA (see telephone directory) and ask what the import requirements are to (a) import a bird of prey from an EU country, and (b) to import from outside the EU.

I would also suggest that you say you will be sending in a written enquiry later but just wanted to get a quick answer in the meantime if that is possible. Make sure you ask for the name of the person giving the information. That should ensure you get the correct answers!<g>

Then, let us know how you got on!

There's probably something on the DEFRA web site.....if there is someone here who will to do the research.

Why don't I do this myself? Well, I'm curious, but I don't actually want to import anything!

On the subject of costs, there will be vet costs by the exporter, vet costs at the point of importation by the importer, agent's fees, air freight charges, etc. for a start.

[Shaun Byrne]

Anton will probably be able to tell you exactly whats involved Brian, I'm sure he exports regularly. I know people who have taken their birds to EU countries on hunting trips and for display, they obviously didn't have to quarantine their birds so maybe its not necesary from the EU?

[OhMyGod]

Yes there are ways around it in eu countries but I think the states are different