December 12, 2023

Singapore suspends poultry imports from regions affected by avian influenza

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has suspended the import of raw poultry and poultry products from regions affected by the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, which include four Japanese prefectures – Saga, Ibaraki, Saitama, and Kagoshima – along with various regions in the United States, Canada, France, Belgium, and Germany, Channel News Asia reported.

The SFA said that heat-treated poultry refers to products treated in accordance with the guidelines set by the World Organisation for Animal Health.

Heat-treated poultry refers to products treated according to the guidelines set by the World Organisation for Animal Health. Bird flu, which has resulted in the culling of millions of birds in recent years, typically emerges in Europe during autumn and winter. Recent cases have also been detected on farms in Cambodia, Japan, and South Korea.

SFA's data for 2022 reveals that Singapore approved 30 countries as sources of poultry, including chicken, duck, turkey, goose, and quail. Brazil, Malaysia, and the United States rank as Singapore's top sources of chicken.

As part of accreditation, SFA assesses countries to ensure that exported poultry, poultry products, and eggs are free of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI). The agency monitors global HPAI outbreaks, suspending sources affected by HPAI or allowing only heat-treated products.

Local Singapore poultry farms and slaughterhouses must adhere to biosecurity measures, preventing wild birds from coming into contact with poultry flocks. SFA conducts inspections and tests to ensure local and imported poultry are free of avian influenza.

-      Channel News Asia