August 6, 2004

United Arab Emirates Bans Live Birds Import As Precaution

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries yesterday issued a decree banning imports of live birds, poultry and eggs from Japan, South Korea and Thailand.

The ban was imposed following information received from the Office International des Epizootics (OIE) in Paris, World Health Organisation (WHO) and Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) on the outbreak of avian influenza in these countries

The move is classified as a precautionary measure. According to a Ministry official, since UAE food safety requirements are based on international standards, the country remains very strict in this regard.
It is a routine procedure taken automatically by the authority in such cases, the official said.