November 18, 2022

Barbados announces a temporary ban on UK poultry imports

Barbados has announced a temporary ban on imports of live birds, poultry, and poultry products from the UK because of confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks there, Loop Caribbean News reported.

Barbados' Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Mark Trotman said the best defence against viruses that are not common in this area is tightening quarantine regulations.

He said all fresh or cooked poultry products will be prohibited from being imported by passengers with immediate effect, with the exception of fully cooked products that are packaged and sealed hermetically.

He also said all licences and permits already issued up until October 31 this year will be honoured, and no new ones will be issued for the importation of the restricted commodities.

Only fully cooked poultry products in hermetically sealed packages (cans), according to the authorities, will be allowed.

For commercial imports of processed poultry products that are accompanied by an official veterinary export health certificate attesting that the products have been processed to ensure the destruction of the avian influenza virus, Trotman said these restrictions do not apply.

These goods include washed and steam-dried feathers as well as processed egg and meat products from poultry.

-      Loop Caribbean News