The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, MOCCAE, today announced that it has banned the import of all species of domestic and wild live birds, ornamental birds, chicks, hatching eggs, meats and meat products and non-heat-treated wastes from Kostromskaya Oblast region in Russia.

Thermally-treated poultry products (meat and eggs) have been cleared for import from all parts of Russia.

The announcement was based on a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health, OIE, on the outbreak of a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu, H5N2, on a farm in the central region of Kostromskaya Oblast, which led to the death of more than 660,000 birds.

Dr. Majid Sultan Al Qassimi, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Food Diversity Sector at MOCCAE, 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 well-being."

MOCCAE is carefully scrutinising documentation accompanying consignments (certificate of origin, health certificate and halal certifications, among others) of food products shipped into the country. The ministry is also conducting sensory detection to ensure that the quality of the products - as per their identification cards - complies with the UAE’s stringent standards. Samples of food products from shipments are transferred to laboratories for the necessary tests to ensure they are safe and fit to enter the country.