UAE bans import of poultry products from Tennessee, Malaysia

The UAE has banned the import of certain poultry products from the state of Tennessee in the US and Malaysia over bird flu fears.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment announced a ban on the import of all types of live domestic, wild, and ornamental birds, as well as chicks, eggs and bird remains that have not been heat-treated from the Lincoln district in Tennessee, official news agency WAM reported.

The move was taken after the World Organisation for Animal Health confirmed the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial farms in Tennessee, said Majid Sultan Al Qasimi, director of Animal Health and Development Department at the ministry.

He also said that the UAE would continue to import thermally-treated poultry products (including meat and processed egg products) and thermally-treated poultry waste from all of the US.

Meanwhile the ministry also announced a ban on the import of all types of wild and domestic birds, ornamental birds, chicks, eggs and waste – that is not thermally treated – from Malaysia.

The ban follows the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial farms in the Malaysian province of Kelantan.

The UAE has also temporarily banned the import of poultry meat and non heat-treated products and table eggs from Kelantan.

Thermally-treated poultry products will be allowed for import from Malaysia, the report added.

“The ministry is keen to raise the level of food safety and ensure the provision of safe food to the consumer,” said Al Qasimi.

“It works to implement the Federal Law No. 10 of 2015 on the safety of food, which applies to all establishments licensed to trade food or feed, and consignments coming to the country or passing through its territory.”

The UAE’s move follows a similar ban by Saudi Arabia earlier this week.

The kingdom also temporarily banned the import of poultry from the US state of Tennessee and Malaysia over concerns of bird flu.

Read more: Saudi bans poultry imports from Tennessee, Malaysia over bird flu fears