Customs bars imports of livestock into India, fears of avian influenza abound

The Dollar Business Bureau 

The Customs department has suspended the imports of livestock and livestock products into India from all countries due to the threat of avian influenza.

A communication to the effect was issued via notification no: 09/2015-2020 dated June 8, 2017.

According to the notification, the following imports have been suspended with further effect.

• domestic and wild birds (excluding poultry and captive birds) 
• unprocessed meat and meat products from Avian species including wild birds (except poultry) 
• semen of domestic and wild birds (except semen of poultry) 
• Live poultry and captive birds 
• day old chicks, ducks, turkey and other newly hatched Avian species 
• unprocessed meat and meat products from Avian species including wild birds 
• hatching eggs 
• egg and egg products (except Specific Pathogen Free eggs) 
• unprocessed feathers 
• live pig 
• pathological material and biological products from birds 
• product of animal origin (from birds) intended for use in animal feeding or for agricultural or industrial use 
• semen of poultry

According to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore official release 3 days ago, almost 77 countries and regions have been affected with avian influenza. The outbreak has been seen in many parts of South East Asia, some countries of Europe, UK and some states of the United States of America.