ECOLOG - In response to my earlier query and summary posting regarding importing preserved arthropods, Ellen Paul provided this useful clarification on USDA/APHIS and USFWS requirements, with specific information on how it applies to bird products. I'm passing it along at her request. Hope this helps!
Cheers, Nicole Michel -----Original Message----- From: Ellen Paul [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 11:12 AM To: Michel, Nicole L Subject: Importing preserved arthropods Nicole - Would you mind going back on Ecolog-L and adding this info: APHIS permitting is primarily for importation of live specimens. When you enter the USA the US Customs Declaration will ask about products you are importing and you should check the box that says "..... wildlife products." Then CBP (US Customs) may divert you to USDA/APHIS/Homeland Security for further questions and inspection. Someone may also ask you for copies of your permits and even the 3-177 Declaration, even though you really do not have to file it then, so get one on line from http://www.fws.gov/le/ImpExp/faqs.htm The Ornithological Council advises that this statement is incorrect with regard to dead birds and dead manmals. See the Ornithological Council import permit guide at http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/PERMITS.html (major revision in progress, to include FedEx, DHL, Customs Broker info and IATA/DOT info). Permits are needed for ALL bird products (APHIS lingo for "anything that was once part of a bird") and for ruminants, swine, and equids. Permit conditions will vary depending on the disease status of the country from which the exports occur and the biosafety status of your lab. Treatment of materials, if required, must be with a USDA-approved treatment method (the bird treatment methods are listed in the manual; note that FTA cards have recently been approved). If you need/want info on treatment standards for mammals, contact Ellen Paul at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Note that while technically the USDA does not currently regulate any small mammal diseases (where "small mammal" is defined as "not swine, not ruminant, not equid), they do require permits and they will put birds and small mammals on a single permit. In fact, the entire permit system is outside the regulatory system, but try telling that to a Customs and Border Protection inspector at the port: "sorry, I don't need a permit because there is no regulation saying that I need a permit." Note that CBP *is* part of Department of Homeland Security, and APHIS is part of USDA. After 9/11, the APHIS agricultural inspectors were transferred to CBP. So it is actually CBP Animal Quarantine Inspection people you deal with at the ports. Also note that you DO have to file the 3-177 at the time of import if you are importing any regulated wildlife (e.g., stuff covered under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, CITES, ESA...). That 180-day rule applies to nonprotected species.and technically applies only to "dead, preserved, dried, or embedded scientific specimens or parts thereof, imported by accredited scientists or accredited scientific institutions for taxonomic or systematic research purposes." We've had discussions with the USFWS about this limitation on the kind of research that qualifies for this exemption, and I hope that the next time they revise the regs, they will broaden this scope, but for now, this is the rule..." ************************************************** Nicole Michel Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 310 Dinwiddie Hall Tulane University New Orleans, LA 70118 **************************************************
