UAE lifts ban on birds’ imports from Gulf countries

Dubai, Nov 1 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted a temporary ban on the imports of birds and their by-products from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, minister of Environment and Water, issued a resolution which stipulated that all such inbound shipments should be subjected to veterinary quarantine laws and regulations in the country.

The ministery, however, said that no living or slaughtered birds or their by-products will be allowed in through Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah airports and Ghuweifat Border Checkpoint if the suppliers do not submit an import permission, and a certificate confirming the shipment is free of bird flu and other communicable diseases.

The resolution said the living birds should be kept in the ministry’s quarantines for at least 28 days from the date of entry into the UAE in order to conduct laboratory tests to ensure that they are fit for human consumption.

–IANS/WAM