BAS supports move to restrict importation to safeguard local stock

The Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS) is backing Government’s decision to swiftly impose a temporary ban on the importation of live birds, poultry and poultry products from the United States of America and Canada due to an outbreak of “bird flu” in those countries.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BAS James Paul said it was “absolutely necessary” that the ban be imposed to prevent contamination of the local poultry industry.

He also recommended that operators in the local industry take internal precautions as well.

“We in the poultry industry need to take precautions to try to ensure that we don’t have a situation where we also get it, because one of the things that we know is that bird flu can come from migratory birds,” told Barbados TODAY on Friday.

“We are in the flight path of these birds and some even stop here. That is why at this point we have to tighten biosecurity in the industry to ensure that we don’t have a situation where migratory birds or birds that may have contact with migratory birds manage to get into the fence and here is where our local [measures] can be effective,” the spokesman for the sector said.

Paul argued that Barbados does not have the type of resources which the bigger countries like the US and Canada possess to manage an outbreak.

In making the announcement about the ban, Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Mark Trotman warned that there is potential for this strain of the Avian influenza virus to affect people, especially those who interact or work with infected birds or potentially infected mammals.

“As with most diseases that are not present in this area, the best protection is strengthening quarantine measures,” he said.

Dr Trotman disclosed that the measures will be implemented immediately.

He explained that permits for all personal imports of live birds, hatching eggs and all poultry products (fresh, frozen, and chilled) from the USA and Canada are therefore suspended until further notice.

“Any personal permits previously issued for the above are being revoked, only fully cooked poultry products in hermetically sealed packages (cans) will be permitted [and] sale of poultry products for importation must be heat-treated, dried and canned; such products including feathers and dry/canned dog food.
emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb