Niko
Editor, Senior Moderator
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
DUBAI/ABU DHABI
UAE bans live poultry sale
70 farms razed in Makkah
All live poultry shops in the UAE have been ordered closed as a precautionary measure, following reports of recent outbreak of bird flu in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, Khaleej Times reports.
A circular has been issued to all municipalities. And veterinary doctors and inspectors have been ordered to ensure no wild birds or poultry were brought in through any of the border check points.
?The Secretariat of the National Committee for Emergency Response to Avian Flu decided to set up a permanent emergency action team to combat bird flu,? the Minister of Environment and Water, Dr Mohammed Saeed Al Kindi, said, adding that the government had issued a decree last Thursday, enforcing a temporary ban on import of live birds and poultry from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
A ministry official said veterinary doctors were working with customs personnel at airports where all incoming birds, poultry and poultry products were being held back for inspection.
The committee plans mock drills in all emirates to test the reactions and alertness levels of emergency response teams. Representative of the armed forces have also confirmed the preparedness of their teams which are on full alert.
While poultry shops have been ordered shut, poultry farms continue to operate normally, complying with international and local safety and health standards.
?Live poultry shops were banned in the emirate about eight months ago. Our inspectors are keeping a tight check on the markets and bird shops,? officials of the Public Health Department at Dubai Municipality said.
?We have also requested people not to buy any new or unknown birds. If they have pet birds, they should be kept locked in cages, and any wild birds should not be allowed near them. ?Bird food should not be placed in the open and pet owners should wear gloves and masks while feeding the birds,? they said.
In Makkah region, about 70 poultry farms have been destroyed, The Saudi Gazette reports from Jeddah.
?Saudi Arabia has already banned the import of poultry to prevent the spread of the disease, despite the fact that there are no suspicious cases among humans,? Jaber Al Shehri, Director General of Ministry of Agriculture in Makkah said.
The Ministry of Agriculture has an emergency plan to fight the disease and protect citizens. The region is secure, but the fear of migratory birds, which may carry the virus, is there. The ministry has compensated the owners of destroyed bird farms, but not the traders.
?We have developed a plan to confront the disease by exterminating all birds within 10 sq km from where the disease has been reported,? Al Shehri said. ?Hotlines have been set up for citizens and residents.?
The UAE has refused to allow a large Saudi shipment of eggs to enter the country. ?Iraq, Qatar and the UAE have prevented poultry and eggs from Saudi Arabia from crossing their borders.
?The UAE and Saudi Arabia have an egg trade agreement but the former has not decided yet whether to continue dealing with Saudi businessmen,? Al Shehri said.
The Jeddah Chamber of Commerce will hold a symposium focusing on bird flu to clarify the facts about the disease and how to handle the problem if it becomes serious.
Oman has also banned import of live domestic birds, their products derivatives and waste from Bangladesh, based on the recommendation of the veterinary authority.
http://www.bahraintribune.com/Articl...6&CategoryId=2
DUBAI/ABU DHABI
UAE bans live poultry sale
70 farms razed in Makkah
All live poultry shops in the UAE have been ordered closed as a precautionary measure, following reports of recent outbreak of bird flu in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, Khaleej Times reports.
A circular has been issued to all municipalities. And veterinary doctors and inspectors have been ordered to ensure no wild birds or poultry were brought in through any of the border check points.
?The Secretariat of the National Committee for Emergency Response to Avian Flu decided to set up a permanent emergency action team to combat bird flu,? the Minister of Environment and Water, Dr Mohammed Saeed Al Kindi, said, adding that the government had issued a decree last Thursday, enforcing a temporary ban on import of live birds and poultry from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
A ministry official said veterinary doctors were working with customs personnel at airports where all incoming birds, poultry and poultry products were being held back for inspection.
The committee plans mock drills in all emirates to test the reactions and alertness levels of emergency response teams. Representative of the armed forces have also confirmed the preparedness of their teams which are on full alert.
While poultry shops have been ordered shut, poultry farms continue to operate normally, complying with international and local safety and health standards.
?Live poultry shops were banned in the emirate about eight months ago. Our inspectors are keeping a tight check on the markets and bird shops,? officials of the Public Health Department at Dubai Municipality said.
?We have also requested people not to buy any new or unknown birds. If they have pet birds, they should be kept locked in cages, and any wild birds should not be allowed near them. ?Bird food should not be placed in the open and pet owners should wear gloves and masks while feeding the birds,? they said.
In Makkah region, about 70 poultry farms have been destroyed, The Saudi Gazette reports from Jeddah.
?Saudi Arabia has already banned the import of poultry to prevent the spread of the disease, despite the fact that there are no suspicious cases among humans,? Jaber Al Shehri, Director General of Ministry of Agriculture in Makkah said.
The Ministry of Agriculture has an emergency plan to fight the disease and protect citizens. The region is secure, but the fear of migratory birds, which may carry the virus, is there. The ministry has compensated the owners of destroyed bird farms, but not the traders.
?We have developed a plan to confront the disease by exterminating all birds within 10 sq km from where the disease has been reported,? Al Shehri said. ?Hotlines have been set up for citizens and residents.?
The UAE has refused to allow a large Saudi shipment of eggs to enter the country. ?Iraq, Qatar and the UAE have prevented poultry and eggs from Saudi Arabia from crossing their borders.
?The UAE and Saudi Arabia have an egg trade agreement but the former has not decided yet whether to continue dealing with Saudi businessmen,? Al Shehri said.
The Jeddah Chamber of Commerce will hold a symposium focusing on bird flu to clarify the facts about the disease and how to handle the problem if it becomes serious.
Oman has also banned import of live domestic birds, their products derivatives and waste from Bangladesh, based on the recommendation of the veterinary authority.
http://www.bahraintribune.com/Articl...6&CategoryId=2