November 5, 2013

As part of the ministry's strategic objectives to keep safe man and animal health in the country from epidemic diseases, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has imposed a ban on imports of Australian poultry products.

Due to the appearance of infectious cases of bird flu, the UAE has slapped a temporary ban on importation of all kinds of tamed, wild and ornamental living birds, their products and offal from Australia.

The decision, issued by Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, followed reports received from the international Organisation of Animal Health (OIE) on the appearance of infected cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H7N2).

As per ministerial resolution no. 9 of 2012 regarding conditions for importing red meat and heat-treated chicken meat, the decision exempts heat-treated birds.