The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in the UAE is now restricting poultry imports from an affected province in the Philippines. The announcement was made based on reports that the avian flu has hit Pampanga, Philippines.
According to the ministry, they are currently restricting the import of poultry to protect the emirates. This involves watching out for any incoming live or processed poultry product from the said province in the Philippines.
UAE Guards Against Poultry from Philippine Province
This latest move was “based on the notification from the World Organization for Animal Health about the registration of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the Republic of the Philippines,” stated Dr. Majid Sultan Al Qasimi, the Director of Animal Health and Development Department.
Not all Philippine poultry products are being restricted, however. The ministry shared that “the importation of thermally-treated poultry products (i.e. treated meat and processed egg products) and thermally-treated poultry waste from all of the Republic of the Philippines” is still allowed.
Ensuring the Safety of Food and Consumption
Meanwhile, the ministry stressed that it is “keen to raise the level of food safety and ensure the provision of safe food to the consumer. It works to implement the Federal Law No. 10 of 2015 on the safety of food, which applies to all establishments licensed to trade food or feed, and consignments coming to the country or passing through its territory.”
Likewise, the ministry reiterated that whenever a shipment of food products enters the UAE, all the accompanying documents are strictly verified. These include the certificate of origin, health certificate, Halal certificate, and other requirements.
As the avian flu continues to affect poultry farms in the Philippines, the UAE deems it necessary to restrict imports for now. Until then, we can rest assured that authorities in both countries are always seeking to ensure food safety for all consumers.