UAE imposes ban on live birds imports from Russia’s Kostromskaya Oblast region

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has imposed a ban on the import of all species of domestic and wild live birds from the Kostromskaya Oblast region in Russia.

The decision was taken by the UAE Government after an announcement was made by the World Organisation for Animal Health, OIE, about the outbreak of a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu, H5N2, which was identified at a farm in the central region of Kostromskaya Oblast that led to the death of more than 660,000 birds.

As a precautionary measure, the government has stopped imports of ornamental birds, chicks, hatching eggs, meats and meat products, as well as non-heat-treated wastes from the Kostromskaya Oblast region.

The government further noted that it will be allowing imports of thermally treated poultry products (meat and eggs) from all parts of Russia.

MOCCAE Food Diversity Sector assistant under-secretary Majid Sultan Al Qassimi 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 wellbeing.”

MOCCAE noted that it is carefully scrutinising documentation accompanying consignments such as the certificate of origin, health certificate, and halal certifications of food products shipped into the country.

In order to ensure the quality of the product, the regulatory authority will be sending samples of food products from shipments to laboratories for the necessary tests to ensure that they are safe and fit to enter the country.