March 14, 2007

India bans poultry and pig imports from bird flu-hit countries

India Tuesday (Mar 13) banned imports of poultry, eggs and meat products from countries affected by bird flu to prevent an outbreak of the disease in the country.

Live poultry and meat products from species including wild birds, hatching eggs, live pig and pig meat products won't be imported until further orders from countries reporting bird flu, an official statement said.

"It is a precautionary measure; India was able to free itself of bird flu within a few months of a small outbreak last year. We don't want it to occur here again," an official of the Department of Animal Husbandry said.

Other items included in the list of banned products include day-old chicks, ducks and turkey, eggs and egg products except specific pathogen-free eggs, feathers and biological products from birds, the official statement said.