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The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), on Wednesday 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 Hungary and Slovakia.

Move follows a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) of the outbreak of a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu, H5N2, in Hungary and Slovakia.

Ministry has made it mandatory to acquire a health certificate for the export of meat and meat products from Hungary and Slovakia to release consignments into the country.

Even for the import of eggs from these nations exporters need to get a health certificate before bringing the consignments into the country.

However, Ministry has cleared import of thermally-treated poultry products (meat and eggs) from all parts of Hungary and Slovakia.

Kaltham Ali Kayaf, Acting Director, Animal Development & Health Department 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.