The European Union today banned imports of captive live birds from outside the bloc to strengthen its fight against bird flu.
A committee of EU veterinarians gave their backing to the proposal, the Commission said. "The ban covers captive live birds other than poultry imported for commercial purposes," it said in a statement.
"A separate decision regulates the movement of (pet) birds accompanying their owners which will be subject to certain conditions." The move comes after avian influenza was found in a parrot held in quarantine in Britain last week.
The Commission said the ban would come into effect in the next few days, after the EU executive has formally approved it. Some exceptions would apply, it said. Birds may be transported between approved zoos, for example.
Restrictions would apply for owners travelling with pets. "Member states can allow no more than five birds accompanying their owner to enter from third countries on condition they have undergone a 30-day quarantine in approved third countries," it said.
Pet birds that have been vaccinated against avian influenza or tested negative during a "10-day isolation period before movement" would also be allowed in.
People travelling with pet birds from Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein Andorra, Iceland, Greenland, Faeroe Islands and San Marino will not face restrictions, it said.