[Dan0102]

Hi, just joined this forum. I'm looking for simple straight advice on going to buy some sheep from France. Has anyone done this themselves? How difficult is it? Costings? Can I transport them myself? I have looked on the DEFRA website but I don't really understand their wording..many thanks Daniel

[Tim W]

Speak to -----

Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)

Telephone: 01228 403600 Option 2, 1 | Email: cattleexportscarlisle@apha.gsi.gov.uk | Fax: 01228 591900
Website: www.gov.uk/apha | Twitter: @APHAgovuk | Facebook: aphagov

Address: Centre for International Trade, Hadrian House, Wavell Drive, Rosehill, Carlisle, CA1 2TB

They will guide you through the process

[SallyintNorth]

Sorry, but I have to say it... Must you?  We've had so many problems with diseases coming in on imported livestock - is it really essential?  (No need to reply or justify yourself, I just couldn't not say it.)

[Tim W]

Sorry, but I have to say it... Must you?  We've had so many problems with diseases coming in on imported livestock - is it really essential?  (No need to reply or justify yourself, I just couldn't not say it.)

Especially with BTV being so active across the water at the moment ----something to consider?

[Marches Farmer]

Reported cases of BTV in central France have more than doubled in the past month and the National Sheep Association is pressing for the vaccine to be available in the UK this year.  Last time it came in to the eastern side of the country and the following year the vaccine became available.  Last year an unusually high number of easterly winds easrly in the Summer pushed Hummingbird Hawk Moths and Comma butterflies across here to the Marches.  Infected midges feed from the sheep then more midges feed from the infected sheep and bite other sheep, and so on.  Importing sheep already infected enables the disease to be spread more quickly.  Do we not have a big enough supply of breeds and sheep in the UK?

[waterbuffalofarmer]

There is an easy solution to not bringing sheep into the UK. If there is a specific breed in France which cannot be gotten in the UK, it might be worth looking into embryo transfer. That way the lambs born should be fine, provided you vaccinate the ewes against harmful diseases. I personally wouldn't advise the importation of sheep into the UK from France, I am pretty certain that the animal health won't be too pleased, also the government. If I where you I would speak to specialists and vets to see if it is possible or indeed a wise thing to do? Hope these comments aren't too harsh, but you do see the situation. What breed where they?
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/importing-live-animals-or-animal-products-from-non-eu-countries-general-licences-and-authorisations
This is about importing from non EU countries, it might be worth asking them about importing from France. It would be good to talk to Defra about it? Is it a breed that you can only get in France? If not I would suggest trying to find other breeders in different countries.

[verdifish]

If all checks and balances are carried out it is rightly or wrongly legal and acceptable to import from France.  No ifs or buts. What breed are you considering importing? 

[Marches Farmer]

If all checks and balances are carried out it is rightly or wrongly legal and acceptable to import from France.  No ifs or buts. What breed are you considering importing?

Legal - yes.  Acceptable - debatable.  Wise - ....?

[SallyintNorth]

If all checks and balances are carried out it is rightly or wrongly legal and acceptable to import from France.  No ifs or buts.

Totally.  We must take care not to mislead, [member=42855]waterbuffalofarmer[/member]

Legal - yes.  Acceptable - debatable.  Wise - ....?

Echoing my own feelings on the subject!

And now we've almost completely derailed our new member's opening post - I am sorry, Dan0102! 

[waterbuffalofarmer]

I didn't say it was illegal to bring in animals from France I said unwise and certain people high up might not be too pleased for stock importation from France, especially sheep, with the current situation.

[verdifish]

I didn't say it was illegal to bring in animals from France I said unwise and certain people high up might not be too pleased for stock importation from France, especially sheep, with the current situation.

Which certain hi up people would that be? ?

[verdifish]

If all checks and balances are carried out it is rightly or wrongly legal and acceptable to import from France.  No ifs or buts. What breed are you considering importing?

Rightly or wrongly is what I said. 

[Sbom]

I think this below answers your simple question most simply!!

Welcome to TAS!, you'll by now have noted that some subjects can prompt a wide range of feeling and options 

All adds to an interesting forum 

Speak to -----

Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)

Telephone: 01228 403600 Option 2, 1 | Email: cattleexportscarlisle@apha.gsi.gov.uk | Fax: 01228 591900
Website: www.gov.uk/apha | Twitter: @APHAgovuk | Facebook: aphagov

Address: Centre for International Trade, Hadrian House, Wavell Drive, Rosehill, Carlisle, CA1 2TB

They will guide you through the process

[Tim W]

I have never imported animals but have exported and the process is the same either way

1) Find sheep and make sure farmer is able to and willing to go through export process
2) Export certificate will demand disease status conformation --MV , scrapie etc as well as isolation periods pre export
3) get export certificate (just a few forms
4) vet inspection
5) Pick up animals in ministry approved vehicle driven by approved driver
6)get them home and get them inspected by UK vet

There are firms that will do this for you --- Mike Adams is one      mikeadams@warners-court.com