Palm Nut Attempt In Canada

[Xtreme575]

I have been whining for some time that we are not able to get palm nuts in Canada. After reading Stephen's post about how much Isaac is enjoying his palm nuts I decided to put my free time (I took the week off) this week to good use.

 

I contacted Canada Customs and spoke to a Senior Agent who asked me some very specific questions regarding my intent with the palm nuts. It seems that if I purchase them from a bird store and not a seed shop, and if the box is clearly marked, "Bird Feed - Palm Nuts", then she told me that I'd be able to bring them across. There was some concern about what would happen to the nut after all was said and done, I told her that the bird would eat it, and offered nothing further. I wasn't about to say anything about the bird only eating the husk.

 

The next problem in my quest for palm is to make sure it gets through customs fast enough to make sure the nuts don't spoil. They will make no promises there, and my past experience has shown that it takes up to three weeks to get things through customs... So, I know a woman at work who gets things delivered in our neighbouring US city, and then she brings it across herself. I think there is a $5.00 charge to get things delivered there, but big deal! So, I'm going to give this a try. Wish me luck getting these across the border!

 

I just find it funny that the law will allow them as feed, but not as a seed... Same thing, different name. Oh well, if feed gets it to me, who cares! I explained this to the avian vet I saw this week, she was pretty impressed by my diligence and the initial approval to bring these across. She wants me to keep her apprised, and she is hopeful that she may be able to do the same thing for her Grey as well. Apparently this was an issue with pomegrante fruit in the 70's in Canada. We do love our protectionist laws to save us from alien species here in the far north...

[JillyBeanz]

We'll send you food parcels (if the Canadian Customs allows it) when you are in prison for the "improper usage of the palm nut"!! I still take it that these are the Queen nuts and not the actual African palm nuts? The African Palm nuts do spoil quite quickly and I find that unless Harvey takes it straight away I end up throwing it away after a couple of hours as I feel they are turning "mushy".

 

Looking forward to hearing more of your quest Ryan - good luck!!!

[Luvparrots]

Not to worry Ryan, Jill is in charge of care packages, I'll gladly handle the holding of funds for your bail, everyone can just wire transfer their donation funds to my personal bank account and I'll pop right over the border and bail you out. Isn't the closest route to Canada from Washington state through Hawaii????? Will be waiting with packed luggage to hear how things go!!! Good Luck!!

[lovethatgrey]

That's awesome feedback! Thanks for sharing.