Posted inPolitics & Economics

UAE bans import of live birds from Russia after bird flu outbreak

Ministry of Climate Change and Environment takes action after H5N2 outbreak in Rostovskaya Oblast region

The ban covers the import of all species of domestic and wild live birds, ornamental birds, chicks, hatching eggs, meats and meat products and non-heat-treated wastes from the affected region.
The ban covers the import of all species of domestic and wild live birds, ornamental birds, chicks, hatching eggs, meats and meat products and non-heat-treated wastes from the affected region.

The UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) has announced a ban on the import of all live birds from Russia, following the outbreak of a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu, H5N2.

The decision follows on a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health of the outbreak in the region of Rostovskaya Oblast in Russia.

MoCCAE said in comments published by news agency WAM that it has implemented the protective measures banning the import of all species of domestic and wild live birds, ornamental birds, chicks, hatching eggs, meats and meat products and non-heat-treated wastes from the affected region.

The ministry has also implemented the ban on previously infected provinces, including Kurskaya Oblast, Astrakhanskaya Oblast, Respublika Kalmykiya, Kostromskaya Oblast, and Voronezhskaya Oblast in the Russian Federation.

However, according to a statement issued by MoCCAE, thermally-treated poultry products (meat and eggs) have been cleared for import from all parts of Russia.

Dr Majid Sultan Al Qassimi, director, Animal Development at Health Department at MoCCAE, said: “These measures reiterate the Ministry’s keenness in achieving its strategic objectives including enhancing bio-security levels and eliminating pathogens before they enter the country. In doing so, the Ministry prevents the bird flu virus and related risks and impacts on the country’s poultry health and safety, in addition to protecting public health and well-being.”

The ministry said it is carefully scrutinising documentation accompanying consignments of food products shipped into the country while also conducting sensory detection to ensure that the quality of the products complies with the UAE’s stringent standards.

Follow us on

For all the latest business news from the UAE and Gulf countries, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube page, which is updated daily.