Importing feathers into the UK

daryush · Post by **daryush** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 4:01 pm

Hi!

Does anyone here know the rules about importing feathers into the UK?

Thank you!

Daniel · Post by **Daniel** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 9:55 pm

Do you mean fresh, unprocessed feathers or pre-made ones?

daryush · Post by **daryush** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 11:14 pm

I think they are fresh - like the ones Tiger is selling.

Stephen Selby · Post by **Stephen Selby** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 2:10 am

There are no biosecurity issues; but CITES will be enforced if HM Customs is aware of the contents.

daryush · Post by **daryush** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 7:49 am

Thanks for the advice Stephen. What would happen if they are enforced?
(or if I may ask a cheeky question - how to prevent them finding out?)

Stephen Selby · Post by **Stephen Selby** » Fri Nov 26, 2010 2:16 am

I am a strong supporter of CITES. Owl feathers today - tiger bones and ivory tomorrow.

The same superstitions that had people using raptor feathers for fletching also had them using tiger bones for thumb rings.

If traditional archers gain a reputation for smuggling endangered species it will make our culture unsustainable. Shooting sharp projectiles already makes us objects of suspicion.

PjSingh · Post by **PjSingh** » Fri Nov 26, 2010 2:26 am

Here here ,I agree with you 100% Stephen.

Orda Khan · Post by **Orda Khan** » Fri Nov 26, 2010 10:53 am

Daryush,
Why not ask at your nearest hawking centre or similar? When the birds go into moult most falconers are happy to let you have/buy them.

daryush · Post by **daryush** » Fri Nov 26, 2010 6:25 pm

I'm a supporter of CITES as well. I was under the impression that the feathers were pheasant though ...

OK - Neat idea! Might try it.

Orda Khan · Post by **Orda Khan** » Fri Nov 26, 2010 7:48 pm

A wise gamekeeper could make a tidy sideline selling pheasant feathers. Come to think of it, Martin Hyslop supplies many products from country pursuits, it may be an idea to run this possibility by him.