December 11, 2020

Grenada temporarily bans poultry from UK

Grenada has announced on November 30 that it will impose a temporary ban on the importation of poultry products from the United Kingdom.

Grenada's Ministry of Agriculture, Lands & Forestry said that the ban is due to an ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, in the UK.

"Grenada will place a temporary ban on all poultry and poultry products originating from that region, effective December 7, 2020. The ban on hatching eggs, feathers, fresh poultry, chilled poultry meat and frozen poultry meat would remain in effect until a satisfactory animal health report is issued from the UK," the statement said.

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries made the announcement late November that they would be placing a temporary ban on the import of all poultry from the UK as the avian influenza virus can have a catastrophic impact on the poultry sector in the Caribbean region.

The announcement said: "This virus has zoonotic potential, it can be spread between animals and humans, is highly virulent and highly pathogenic."

The statement added that the entry of the avian influenza virus can result in sudden death of birds, and is capable of devastating poultry farms within 48 hours.

It also stated that a coordinated approach across the Caribbean is essential to secure the poultry sector across CARICOM.

 - NationNews