Gulf News, Wednesday, Jan 15,
2020 | Jamadi Al Awwal 20, 1441
UAE
bans live birds from Hungary and Slovakia
Dubai: Based on a notification from the World
Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) of the outbreak of a highly pathogenic
strain of bird flu, H5N2, in Hungary and Slovakia, the UAE Ministry of Climate
Change and Environment (MOCCAE), on Wednesday announced that it has banned the
import of all species of domestic and wild live birds, ornamental birds, chicks,
hatching eggs, meats and meat products and non-heat-treated wastes from the two
countries.
It has also regulated the import of eggs and
poultry meat and non-heat-treated products by stipulating the submission of a
health certificate for the export of meat and meat products from Hungary and
Slovakia to release consignments into the country.
However, thermally treated poultry products
(meat and eggs) have been cleared for import from all parts of Hungary and
Slovakia.
Kaltham Ali Kayaf, Acting Director, Animal
Development & Health Department at MOCCAE, said: “These measures reiterate the
ministry’s keenness in achieving its strategic objectives including enhancing
bio-security levels and eliminating pathogens before they enter the country. In
doing so, the ministry is preventing the spread of the bird flu virus and
related risks and impacts the country’s poultry health and safety, in addition
to protecting public health and well-being.”
MOCCAE is carefully scrutinising documentation
accompanying consignments (certificate of origin, health certificate and halal
certifications, among others) of food products shipped into the country. It is
also conducting sensory detection to ensure that the quality of the products -
as per their identification cards - complies with the UAE’s stringent standards.
Samples of food products from shipments are transferred to laboratories for
necessary tests to ensure they are safe and fit to enter the country.