Kuwait bans imports of all kinds of live birds from UK

KUWAIT, Feb 8 (KUNA) -- The Public Authority for Agriculture and Fish Resources Affairs (PAAFRA) banned on Monday imports of live birds, eggs and one-day-old chiks from the UK because of the outbreak of the pathogenic H5N1 bird flu.
PAAFRA in a statement stressed the importance of subjecting all incoming consignments to PAAFRA's requirements and restrictions, in line with the relevant procedures of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the veterinary quarantine systems in Kuwait and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The statement further said in case infectious or epidemic diseases are spotted, a shipment will be rejected and the importer will be committed to return it.
The decision was taken against the backdrop of OIE's recent reports on the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in the UK.(end) mf.ha