Q – Do you know the regulations with regard to importing (fertile) chicken eggs from Italy for breeding purposes? I would like to import a ‘fresh’ line of Leghorns.James Sessions, via email
VR writes: You will need to look on the DEFRA website for any updates to import regulations and then not only contact your local Animal Health office for advice, but make sure that the veterinary documents from Italy are correct for the UK – the adult birds may have to be tested for various diseases. Be prepared to have to not only incubate the eggs in quarantine, but also keep the chicks in quarantine until they are at least 35 days old – this is to avoid importing Newcastle disease.
