Pandas here with ‘diplomatic immunity’

GIANT pandas Tian Tian and Yuang Guang arrive in Edinburgh today only after being given “diplomatic immunity” as part of the complex negotiations to seal the deal to get them.

The pair, who were due to touch down at Edinburgh Airport this afternoon after being flown by delivery firm FedEx, will not be subject to the same rigorous customs regulations as other animals arriving in the country.

On their arrival on Scottish soil, the pandas, which have travelled from Chengdhu in China, were to be welcomed by officials from Edinburgh Zoo, the Scottish Government and officials from the panda project partnership, which includes the China Wildlife Conservation Association.

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It is expected that hundreds of thousands of people will see the pandas, the first in Britain for 17 years.

Their arrival is a massive boost for the zoo, Scotland and the UK and has been years in the making. It has seen many special arrangements made including waiving the normal rules that state animals travelling from overseas cannot fly directly to Scotland and must make a stop at special centres in Manchester or London for veterinary checks.

A direct flight to Scotland was a condition set out by the Chinese authorities to ensure that the pandas spent as little travelling time as possible and were not unduly distressed on their arrival at the zoo. The decision was made by the Scottish Government in discussion with the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Ordinarily, all animals are expected to arrive through a border inspection post. In this case, UK Border Association have agreed to implement exceptional import clearance procedures at the request of the Scottish Government.

“That is because it is only a short drive from Edinburgh Airport to the zoo, which will considerably reduce the stress to the animals which would occur with a long road journey from London.”

A Defra spokeswoman added: “When the Chinese offered the pandas to us, they asked that there be an exception made.”

Sylvia Fleming, managing director of independent customs clearance agent Extrordinair at Edinburgh Airport, which is handling the pandas’ arrival, said: “The pandas are an exception to every rule and the aircraft is being classed as a border inspection post. If you wanted to travel with your Labrador or spaniel, you would not be able to fly directly into Edinburgh Airport because there is no inspection area.

“But because it is the zoo and they have very specific precautions in place, it has been agreed that the pandas can go straight from the plane into their quarantine area and have the checks carried out there.”

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Scotland does not have a full animal reception centre, where creatures can be checked over before entering the country.

The only facility is at Prestwick Airport, where there is a specialised border post for imported horses and cattle.