The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has indicated that general import licences have been re-instated from Thursday 23 November 2006, replacing the need for importers to obtain specific import licences. This returns the import position to that before the disease outbreak.

Imports from Great Britain as outlined below are reinstated:

• DARD/GEN/06/08 poultry and hatching eggs from Great Britain.
  
• DANI/GEN/06/09 ornamental fowl from a show/premises in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.
  
  
• DARD/GEN/06/10 captive birds, other than poultry covered by EC Directive 90/539/EEC from Great Britain.
  
  
• DARD/GEN/06/11 re-importation of poultry/pigeon transport vehicles and/or equipment returning to Northern Ireland has been amended to include Great Britain.

As a result, importers of all live poultry, hatching eggs, ornamental fowl, captive birds or poultry/pigeon transport vehicles from Great Britain no longer need to apply to DARD to obtain a specific import licence before they can import any of the above consignments into Northern Ireland from Great Britain.

Exports

The situation in respect of exports to third countries remains fluid. In such cases prospective exporters should contact Trade Section, Animal Welfare and Trade Branch, Room 732, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast BT4 3SB, or telephone 028 9052 4664 or e-mail
[email protected] before exporting.

ThePoultrySite News Desk