Captive live birds

In this section you can find out more about captive live birds – one of the British Veterinary Association’s (BVA) past issues

A temporary ban was imposed on the import of captive live birds into the EU from third countries due to the risk of Avian Influenza, this ban was to be enforced until December 2006.

What the BVA has done

At its annual Welfare Discussion Forum in 2006 the BVA Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) highlighted the animal welfare implications associated with the trade in live parrots.

This mobilised BVA Council which voted overwhelmingly in favour of a permanent ban on the trade.

BVA has issued

a press release
a position statement calling for a permanent ban on the import of wild birds.

The BVA’s position was adopted by the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) who lobbied for a permanent ban at a European level.

Outcome

A permanent ban on the import of wild birds into the European Union was agreed in January 2007 to the delight of the BVA and other organisations interested in the welfare of animals and conservation.