EU bans imports of pet birds

BRUSSELS - The European Union has banned imports of captive live birds from other countries 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.

- REUTERS