The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCaE) has banned the import of all kinds of live domestic, wild and ornamental birds; and unprocessed eggs from Belgium.
The move follows an advisory from the World Health Organization (WHO) after Belgium reported cases of avian influenza spreading in some parts of the country.
Despite this, the animal health and development department at the Ministry said that the importation of thermally treated poultry products such as treated meat and processed egg products will continue.
The ministry said that it will continue to develop necessary policies to ensure the safety of the food products that reach customers. The ministry is responsible for standardising and supervising food safety procedures in cooperation with the local food authorities concerned, Director Majid Sultan Al Qasimi said.
When a shipment of food products is received by the authorities in the country, documents such as certificate of origin, health certificate, and other certificates such as the Halal certificate are strictly verified.
Credit: Khaleej Times
