Dubai, Nov 1 (IANS/WAM): The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has slapped a temporary ban on import 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 the UAE's Minister of Environment and Water Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, followed reports received from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on the appearance of infected cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H7N2).
The decision exempts heat-treated birds according to a 2012 ministerial resolution 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.