The Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Nutritional Security has placed an immediate ban on the importation of live birds, poultry, and poultry products from the United States of America and Canada.
Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Mark Trotman, explains the temporary ban is due to an outbreak of a new strain of highly pathogenic bird flu.
He said there’s potential for this strain of the virus to affect people, especially those who interact or work with infected birds, or potentially infected mammals.
As such, permits for all personal imports of live birds, hatching eggs and all fresh, frozen, and chilled poultry products from the USA and Canada are suspended until further notice.
Any personal permits previously issued for these products are also being revoked.
Only fully cooked poultry products in hermetically sealed packages will be permitted and safe poultry products for importation like feathers and dog food must be heat-treated, dried and canned.
Dr. Trotman says the restrictions do not apply to commercial imports, which have to be officially certified by the appropriate veterinary authorities and are therefore safe to import and consume.
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