Unusual pigeon smuggling attempt at Russian border
Live birds bound, and wrapped in newspaper
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Finnish customs officers at the Nuijamaa crossing on the with Russia found 18 live pigeons in the luggage of a man returning from Russia in the early hours of Tuesday. The birds had been wrapped individually in newspaper, and their wings and feet were bound with tape.
The bundles were hidden in a backpack beneath the car seat.
The birds had no export licence from Russia, nor a Finnish import licence or health certificate required by Finland. The customs imposed a fine and penalty fees on the 50-year-old man for petty smuggling and animal welfare violations. The pigeons were ordered returned to Russia.
Customs Inspector Riikka Partanen says that the tapes were removed and the pigeons were placed in boxes with more space, after which the man himself took them back to Russia.
The man, a Russian citizen living in Finland, says that the thoroughbred pigeons were intended for him. He estimates that they would cost EUR 50 - 100 each in Finland.
Import of live animals into the European Union is regulated, in order to prevent the spread of animal diseases.
Customs authorities say that ornamental pigeons can spread Newcastle Disease, which could infect poultry.
Partanen says that smuggling pigeons into Finland is very rare.
Importing animals from Russia is allowed only via the Vaalimaa border crossing, and through the Port of Hamina, where Finnish customs have veterinary inspection facilities, and a veterinarian on duty.
The bundles were hidden in a backpack beneath the car seat.
The birds had no export licence from Russia, nor a Finnish import licence or health certificate required by Finland. The customs imposed a fine and penalty fees on the 50-year-old man for petty smuggling and animal welfare violations. The pigeons were ordered returned to Russia.
Customs Inspector Riikka Partanen says that the tapes were removed and the pigeons were placed in boxes with more space, after which the man himself took them back to Russia.
The man, a Russian citizen living in Finland, says that the thoroughbred pigeons were intended for him. He estimates that they would cost EUR 50 - 100 each in Finland.
Import of live animals into the European Union is regulated, in order to prevent the spread of animal diseases.
Customs authorities say that ornamental pigeons can spread Newcastle Disease, which could infect poultry.
Partanen says that smuggling pigeons into Finland is very rare.
Importing animals from Russia is allowed only via the Vaalimaa border crossing, and through the Port of Hamina, where Finnish customs have veterinary inspection facilities, and a veterinarian on duty.
Helsingin Sanomat