Importing/Exporting Pigeons
Article Published: 29 March 2009

Wikus Pretorius

I am also a racing pigeon fancier who has been struggling to actively participate in the sport as I have been moving around quite a fair bit due to my work requirements.

I have however participated since my schooldays back in the 80’s in Benoni, then in Mossel Bay, George, Richards Bay, back in George and then it all grinded to a halt as I have been working in Australia on projects over the last 7 years. (Dampier, Karratha, Brisbane, Gladstone, Perth).


Swan River Perth

This is my last project and I have decided to bring back home with me some real Auzzie pigeons.

I bought some from “The Edgde Racing Pigeon Stud” in Adelaide – Tim Deslandes; and also some from a fancier in Perth – Wade Marland.

The pigeons are hardy and come from the oldest proven strains in Australia – The Goodgers and Jurians.


Goodgers after bath


Jurian after bath

Getting these pigeons out of Australia has been quite some challenge to date and I would not have gotten as far as I have without the helpfulness of friendly fellow pigeon fanciers in Australia.

I didn’t know how to go about it, so I started looking for someone who could provide me with contact details. This proved some job as very few people have sent pigeons from here to South Africa. I finally got a contact name and number from a bloke in the UK, who imports/exports pigeons; he - in turn - gave me a contact person in Australia – Sydney. Unfortunately this person does not do this anymore, but he gave me the contact details of a person in Perth. This bloke (Graeme Sullivan) was very helpful as he gave me the name and contact number of the contact person at the Australian quarantine services. He also provided me with the contact details of the person (John Hughes) who could construct me a basket that will conform to the export requirements.

John has in the past made baskets for Graeme, so he is familiar with the requirements and even has an old used quarantine seal at hand to ensure that the basket could be sealed properly.

Graeme is a retired pigeon fancier who still actively participates in the sport and who has sent pigeons to the Sun City Race on more than one occasion.

After having made contact with the quarantine officer in Perth (Bruce Graham), I was told that they do not have any export requirements for pigeons and that the importing country’s conditions are the only conditions that need to be complied with.


Quarantine location

They would however require a Notice of Intention to export pigeons.

Well, at last I could give some sigh of relief!

I scanned the internet regarding the South African requirements and started my application.

Firstly I had to apply for an Import permit from The Directorate veterinary Services, sub-directorate Import Export Control in Pretoria.

The documents can also be obtained on-line. One needs to complete these documents and make a deposit of R110.00. The issuing of the permit takes about 2 weeks. At the same time one needs to contact the Quarantine station closest to your home; which - in my case is the Milnerton Quarantine station to make a booking for the pigeons.

Once the Vet office had confirmed the available space with the quarantine station, they issued the permit. I received the permit as a scanned document through my e-mail address and studied the requirements, what a surprise when I realised that an additional 30 days quarantine period is required in the country of export!

Nowhere on any site did I find that the pigeons required having a 30 day quarantine period in the country of export. Subsequently, when I made the quarantine booking I had not allowed for this!

Fortunately the Quarantine Officer – Leonard – at the Milnerton station was very helpful and arranged for an extension the same day we contacted him.

Now the race was on.

I had to find the state approved Vet in Perth. I made contact and forwarded him the permit with the requirements. I received a call back a couple of days later where I was informed that he could not perform the required blood tests, nor could he provide a quarantine facility!

Back to the local – very helpful - fanciers.

Wade had moved house a couple of years ago and left his old loft at his mom’s place, this turned out - not only to be the best option, but my only option!

Wade contacted his Mom and she agreed to assist, - thank goodness for open hearted people!


Wade's Dad with Ronel

I contacted the quarantine officer and enquired whether the loft accommodation would be acceptable. He reviewed the circumstances and the permit requirements and approved the holding facility. The flight bookings for the Adelaide pigeons were arranged for in no time and the pigeons were put on a domestic flight to Perth, collected and placed together with the Perth pigeons in the loft.

I needed to get them some good food and the nearest “Bird World” franchise; provided the right quality food.

(The mix that they have over here differs considerably from ours).

The Notice of Intend to Export pigeons (NOI) was quickly drafted in a fax format – the information that was required I found on the AQIS website and I immediately sent it to them.

This happened JUST in time to meet the 30 day quarantine period and the permit deadline date!

The next important step was to find a Vet willing to draw the blood from the pigeons. Bruce Graham, the quarantine officer provided the contact details of the Vet and also the contact details for the laboratory where the blood tests could be conducted.

Now a date and time had to be set for the loft visit, but first I needed the tubes for the blood. This was arranged for and picked up from the Department of Agriculture.

The Vet (Theresa) and quarantine officer met us at the lofts and the blood samples were taken from a vein located on the underside of the pigeons wing. Very interesting procedure and not something I would want to have done to me ;( if I was a pigeon); by someone suffering from Parkinson’s!

The samples were taken to the lab for analysis and the results came back negative – these results were delivered within 5 working days! Again; excellent service.

So far, so good.

The flight arrangements had to be made, fortunately Leonard from the Milnerton Quarantine station had advised us that it would be best if the pigeons would arrive any day from Monday to Thursday, as the there may not be someone available to collect and transport them to the quarantine facility over weekends. We also needed to make arrangements regarding the food for the pigeons during their quarantine period in Cape Town. (I still have to finalise this).

I found that trying to make the flight arrangements made was way too tough for me (too much red tape), but we found the contact details of a lady (Leanne) who does this for cats/dogs/etc. We made contact and she took over the flight and document arrangements.

John Hughes gave me a call to advise me that my basket was ready – 1 week delivery – again; excellent service!

We again made contact with Leanne, who picked up the basket from our apartment. She advised that she will get the basket fumigated as required by the import permit and she will also supply the most practical feed and water containers to accompany the pigeons as the ones we supplied will spill just about everything.

I forwarded her the blood test results and the next step can now be taken on the 08/03/09 - to get the pigeons to the airport.

But, and this info I only found out last week, was that the Notice of Intent that I needed to give to the Australian Quarantine office needed to have been submitted on their standard form (and should have been handed in 10 days prior to the commencement of quarantine). I have just received the recommended document and have completed it and submitted it!

I’ll keep you posted.

Regards
Wikus Pretorius