The UAE has banned poultry products from Bulgaria.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has prohibited the import of all types of live domestic and wild birds, ornamental birds, chicks, and hatching eggs and their thermally un-treated products from the European country.

Sheikh Dr. Majid Sultan Al Qasimi, Director of Animal Health and Development Department at the Ministry, said in a statement today that based on a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health about the registration of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the Republic of Bulgaria, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has prohibited the import of all kinds of live domestic and wild birds, ornamental birds, chicks, hatching eggs and their thermally untreated wastes from Bulgaria.

The ministry also prohibited the import of poultry meat and thermally untreated products and table eggs from the affected provinces, but allowed imports from disease-free areas, located at a radius of at least 25 kms from the affected farm that included an export health certificate.

The ministry also allowed the continuation of imports of thermally treated poultry products and thermally treated poultry waste from across Bulgaria. It also allowed the entry of imports prior to 25/9/2017of thermally untreated products and table eggs from the affected province.

The Ministry is constantly working to develop the necessary policies, strategies and legislation to ensure food safety throughout the food chain and regulate trade activities to enhance food security. Furthermore, it supports the national economy by regulating food handling activities including import, export and re-export.

When a shipment of food products is received by the authorities in the country, the documents accompanying the consignments, including the certificate of origin, health certificate and other required certificates, including Halal certification, are strictly verified.

The authorities also screen the product identification cards to make sure they comply with the stringent standards of the UAE. In addition, they examine samples of the food products through necessary laboratory tests to ensure that these products are free from harmful substances or contaminants.