Oman Bans Indian Poultry from Kerala
Muscat Halts Kerala Poultry Imports Amid Animal-Health Risk Assessment
- Publish date: since 6 days Reading time: 1 min read
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) in Oman has issued a new ban on the import of live birds and poultry-related products from the Indian state of Kerala, citing concerns over veterinary health risks, authorities said on Tuesday, January 20.
The ministerial decision follows recommendations from Oman’s veterinary authorities after a comprehensive assessment of the animal-health situation in Kerala. Under the ban, the import prohibition extends to live birds, as well as their products, derivatives and waste originating from the southern Indian state.
The restrictions will stay in place until the risks that prompted the decision are fully addressed and eliminated, and a further official decision is issued to lift the ban.
However, the ministry clarified that the ban does not apply to poultry products that have been thermally processed or treated according to the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), formerly known as the OIE. Such products may continue to be imported provided they comply with international health standards.
The move underscores Oman’s efforts to safeguard animal and public health by tightening its biosecurity and import controls, in line with global best practices for preventing the spread of infectious diseases through trade.
Officials have stressed that all relevant authorities are tasked with implementing the ban within their respective jurisdictions to uphold the new requirements.
The decision aligns with similar precautionary actions taken by other countries in the region to regulate the import of livestock and poultry amid ongoing concerns over avian and animal health issues.