POULTRY HEALTH POULTRY IMPORTATION REQUIREMENTS
POULTRY HEALTH – POULTRY IMPORTATION REQUIREMENTS
Bureau of Regulatory Services
The poultry sector of Connecticut’s agriculture industry contributes significantly to the state’s economy, to food security for the state’s citizens, and to animal and human health through the production of specialized products. The Connecticut poultry industry is diverse in the types of birds, their uses, and the products that are produced.
SPF poultry eggs are used worldwide in research and in vaccine production for animals and humans. As a result, the company plays a key role in both animal and human health, and in disease prevention and control.
Other segments of Connecticut’s poultry industry include turkey production, fancy poultry (such as show birds bred and exhibited by hobbyists), poultry raised and exhibited as 4-H and FFA projects, upland game bird farms, and “backyard” poultry kept predominantly for personal egg consumption—a segment of the industry that has experienced a dramatic increase in popularity in recent years.
The introduction of a highly infectious, contagious, or foreign poultry disease such as avian influenza or virulent newcastle disease, would be a major threat to all segments of the state’s poultry industry. These diseases would severely lower egg and meat production and/or cause high rates of death resulting in both interstate and worldwide trade restrictions.
A main focus of the Department of Agriculture (DoAg)’s Bureau of Regulatory Services is to protect and improve the health, quality, and marketability of our state’s poultry by preventing, controlling, or eliminating poultry diseases and monitoring and promoting poultry health and productivity.
Enforcement of laws and regulations for the importation of live poultry and hatching eggs into the state is one of DoAg’s most important and effective means of preventing and controlling poultry diseases.
The importation of poultry, zoological and pet-type birds, and their hatching eggs into Connecticut is regulated by DoAg pursuant to Connecticut General Statute, Section 22-325. The importer of birds or hatching eggs must obtain an import permit issued by DoAg prior to importing the birds or hatching eggs. The Poultry and Live Bird Importation Permit is valid for 15 days from the date the permit number is issued.
For more information regarding poultry importation requirements go to https://portal.ct.gov/DOAG-Beta/Regulatory/Regulatory/Poultry-Importation-Requirements
Poultry and hatching eggs from out-of-state must enter this state with either a health certificate written by a Category II federally-accredited veterinarian stating that the birds have tested negative for Salmonella pullorum-typhoid, or a NPIP VS 9-3 form stating that the flock of origin has a classification of Salmonella pullorum-typhoid clean.
Other diagnostic testing information such as avian influenza status should be included on the forms. Zoological and pet-type birds are required to have a health certificate written by a Category II federally-accredited veterinarian.
Steps to follow to import poultry, hatching eggs, zoological or pet-type birds:
- The buyer/importer prepares all the necessary information to obtain an import permit number which should include the following:
- Connecticut destination: Complete name, street address (no PO boxes) and phone number;
- Origin information: Complete name of individual, originating flock, hatchery or aviary, street address, state, zip code and phone number; and
- Species, variety, type and number of each bird or hatching egg to be imported.
- The buyer/importer contacts the Connecticut Department of Agriculture with all the necessary information to obtain an import permit number by:
- Calling 860-713-2508 during business hours (M-F, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.),
- Calling 860-713-2508 outside business hours and leaving a voice mail message, or
- Sending an email to AGR.SVCS@ct.gov with all the necessary information.
- Connecticut Department of Agriculture staff will issue an import permit number over the phone or by email and then the Poultry and Live Bird Importation Permit form will be sent by U.S. mail to the buyer/importer or by email if an email address is provided.
- The buyer/importer returns the completed, signed and dated Poultry and Live Bird Importation Permit form within 48 hours of receiving the birds or hatching eggs with the actual numbers of each species/variety/type of bird or hatching egg received and a copy of the health certificate or the NPIP VS 9-3 form that came with the birds or hatching eggs.
- The buyer/importer returns the completed Poultry and Live Bird Importation Permit form and copies of the health certificate or NPIP VS 9-3 form by:
- Mail:
Connecticut Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Regulatory Services
450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 702
Hartford, CT 06103 - Fax: 860-713-2515, or
- Email: AGR.SVCS@ct.gov
- Mail:
- The buyer/importer must keep all imported birds and all imported hatching eggs segregated (in quarantine) from other birds and hatching eggs. The buyer/importer may not sell or comingle any imported birds or imported hatching eggs with other birds or hatching eggs until the quarantine is released by the Department. If the Poultry and Live Bird Importation Permit form and supplied health certificates or NPIP VS 9-3 forms are in order, the quarantine will be released by the Department.
If there are any questions, please call 860-713-2508 or email AGR.SVCS@ct.gov