UAE bans import of birds from Australia due to flu outbreak

The UAE has slapped a temporary ban on importation of all kinds of tamed, wild and ornamental living birds, their products and offal from Australia due to the appearance of infectious cases of bird flu. The decision, issued by Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, followed reports received from the international organization of animal health (OIE) on the appearance of infected cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H7N2). The decision exempts heat-treated birds as per ministerial resolution No. (9 of 2012) regarding conditions for importing red meat and heat-treated chicken meat. The ban was imposed as part of the ministry's strategic objectives to keep safe man and animal health in the country from epidemic diseases.