Travelling with pet birds within the European Union or returning to Slovenia from third countries
When an animal travels with a person who is named as the owner on the animal's identification document and the purpose of the movement is neither a sale nor a change of ownership of the pet, it is a non-commercial movement. If the conditions for a non-commercial movement are not met, we are talking about import or trade, where the conditions are regulated by other rules.
You should check the conditions of entry to other EU countries with their competent authorities. It is also important to take into account the conditions of third countries and EU countries that are only crossed when travelling.
Some species are protected and in some cases must be accompanied by a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) certificate when they are moved.
Birds that can be pets are also called "pet birds". Pet birds cannot be of the poultry species (fowl, turkeys, guinea fowl, ducks, geese, quails, pigeons, pheasants, partridges and ratites). Poultry is reared or kept in captivity for the production of meat, eggs for food and other products, for the repopulation or for the breeding of birds used for production and repopulation. Similarly, pet birds do not include captive birds intended for fairs, races, exhibitions, competitions, breeding or sale.
Non-commercial movements of pet birds into Slovenia from EU countries and from Andorra, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, Vatican City State
Before entering Slovenia, the owner of the animal must ensure:
- Taking into account the specificities of each species, the animal must be identified in such a way that a link can be established between the animal and its owner. It is also possible to insert a chip if this is appropriate for the animal. The microchip must meet the same standards as for dogs and cats, otherwise the owner must carry a suitable reader.
- The animal must be accompanied by an appropriate document establishing the link between the owner and the animal. It is important that the document indicates the owner of the animal and a description of the animal (species, breed, sex, colour, size, weight, age). This is not a document written by the owner, but for example:
- a receipt from the pet shop where the animal was bought, or a receipt from a vet, if it contains the relevant information,
- the sale and purchase contract, or
- another appropriate certificate.
Non-commercial movements of pet birds from other third countries or territories into Slovenia and the European Union
The non-commercial movement of pet birds into the EU from other third countries is only allowed via Travellers' points of entry, specifically designated by EU Member States for the purpose of entry/movement of pet birds into the EU. The Travellers' points of entry, is a border crossing point where the competent authority carries out an inspection of the documents and identity of the animals. It is the responsibility of the owner or authorised person to contact the competent authority at the Travellers' points of entry, and to present the pet animal's identification document to the competent authority and to allow verification.
Entry into Slovenia with pet birds is only possible via Designated Border Control Post.
Pet birds entering the EU from a third country may only be moved directly from the Travellers' points of entry, to a household or other residence in the EU. During the 30-day period following the date of entry into the EU, these pet birds may not be taken to shows, fairs, exhibitions or other bird events.
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Up to 5 birds may travel.
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The birds must come from a third country that is a member of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
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Before dispatch, they must be marked with a permanent, non-removable and legible individual mark with an alphanumeric code (clip, leg ring, injected transponder, stamp).
They must be marked before isolation, testing or vaccination against avian influenza subtypes H5 and H7.
Only a description of the pet birds may be sufficient if:
- prior to dispatch to the EU they have been placed in a container sealed by the competent authority of the third country of dispatch,
- they have travelled in a sealed container directly from the Travellers' points of entry to an approved quarantine establishment in the Member State of destination, have remained there for at least 30 days and have left quarantine with the written authorisation of the official veterinarian; and
- the competent authority shall inspect the conditions in quarantine, including inspection of mortality records and clinical examination of the birds, at least at the beginning and at the end of the quarantine.
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Each bird must be clinically examined by an authorised or official veterinarian of the third country within 48 hours or on the last working day prior to the date of movement and confirmed as free from any obvious signs of disease.
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The birds should not be in contact with any other birds during the period between the clinical examination and the departure from the third country.
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Birds must be accompanied by a veterinary certificate
The health certificate is validated by the official veterinarian of the competent authority in the third country. The certificate must be in English and in the official language of the EU Member State where the animal will enter the EU. Once issued, it is valid for 10 days.
The veterinary certificate must certify that the pet birds meet one of the following requirements:
- Pet birds originate from a third country or territory where they have been in isolation under official supervision for at least 30 days prior to the date of dispatch from the territory or third country concerned.
- Within the six months prior to the date of dispatch to the EU and no later than 60 days prior to the date of dispatch to the EU pet birds have received a complete series of the approved primary vaccine against avian influenza of subtypes H5 and H7, which can't be a live attenuated vaccine, and have been revaccinated, if necessary, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The vaccination must be carried out by an authorised or official veterinarian of the territory or third country of dispatch.
- Pet birds have been in isolation in the country of dispatch under the supervision of a authorised or official veterinarian at least 14 days prior to the date of dispatch to the EU and have been subjected to a test, not earlier than on the seventh day of isolation, for the detection of the avian influenza subtypes H5 and H7 antigen or genome with negative results.
- The pet birds are destined for a quarantine establishment in the Member State of destination, where they will spend at least 30 days in quarantine immediately after arrival in the EU. The original or a certified copy of the agreed quarantine must be attached to the certificate. Slovenia does not have such a quarantine establishment, so this must be arranged in another Member State.
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Birds must be accompanied by a written statement from the owner or authorised person.
Legislation
- Commission implementing regulation (EU) 2021/1938 of 9 November 2021 establishing the model identification document for non-commercial movements of pet birds into a Member State from a territory or a third country and repealing Decision 2007/25/EC
- Commission implementing regulation (EU) 2021/404 of 24 March 2021
- Commission delegated regulation (EU) 2021/1933 of 14 July 2021 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council
- Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on the non-commercial movement of pet animals and repealing Regulation (EC) No 998/2003
- Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016