Hi Russ,
Thanks for that clear explanation. But it opens up other important questions. I myself am in favour of holding the next meet in Germany, I look on Germany as being the centre of Parosphromenus breeding and science in Europe if not the world. However, it appears from what little canvassing I’ve done in Ireland there is a reluctance to attend if it means fish can’t be brought back.
Could you tell me where the paperwork and expense was to be found? Was it with the airline or customs?
If it was down to customs then it would be very easy for me to fulfill and clear that obstacle. I have a licence and am registered to import plants from around the world. Now I know it is for plants and doesn’t cover me for live fish, but that is just another step in the bureaucracy of red-tape and shouldn’t cause a problem in getting it sorted. Having also, at one time, imported plants into the UK I am aware that the costs of doing so has become very prohibitive in comparison to Ireland. Anyway, I’m in the process of looking into this and will keep everyone updated on it. If the expense is down to customs then I see this as merely adding around €1.00 or perhaps €2.00 to the price of a fish. The only other expense I can imagine is that Customs in Ireland may wish to see a health certificate issued by a German Veterinary to state that the fish are free from certain disease.
How do Transshippers of fish operate in the UK? As far as I can see if I used a transshipper in the UK to bring in a pair of fish from Malaysia or elsewhere then I would pay $5.00 for shipping each fish then pay the transshipper whatever postage charges are from them to me and pay the exporter the price of the fish.
Bill