The European Union (EU) will ban imports from third countries of captive live birds other than poultry for commercial purposes, said the European Commission in a press release on Tuesday.

The commission, the executive body of the EU, said its draft decision on such a ban was endorsed on Tuesday by EU member states at a vet experts' meeting.

The commission also made a separate decision regulating the movement of pet birds.

"The ban on commercial imports of captive live birds and the regulation of movements from third countries of birds accompanying their owners (pet birds) will be effective immediately following adoption by the Commission expected in the next few days," said the press release.

The ban will last until Nov. 30, before which time the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, which endorsed the commission decision, will review the situation, said the press release.

The ban came after a parrot in quarantine was found infected with the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu in Britain at the weekend.

Despite the ban, birds will be allowed to be moved between approved zoos and similar institutions. Hatching eggs of non- poultry birds can be imported for use in authorized hatcheries if their shells are decontaminated upon arrival, or if they are being sent to zoos, said the press release.

Concerning the movement of pet birds, EU member states can allow no more than five birds accompanying their owners to enter from third countries on condition that they have undergone a 30- day quarantine in approved third countries.

Otherwise they must be subject to 30 days quarantine in the member state of destination. Or such birds may be admitted if they have been vaccinated against bird flu, or have tested negative for bird flu during a 10-day isolation period before movement.

The movement of pet birds is not restricted for Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Iceland, Greenland, Faeroe Islands and San Marino, said the press release.

Source: Xinhua