Singapore lifts ban on Malaysian poultry imports

SINGAPORE, June 28 (Reuters) Singapore will lift a ban on imports of poultry and poultry products from neighbouring Malaysia after Malaysia declared that it is free from bird flu, officials today said.

After a three-month suspension, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said it will lift the poultry import ban on the northern states of Perak and Selangor with effect from June 30.

Singapore currently only imports chickens and eggs from Malaysia's southern states of Johor, Malacca and Negri Sembilan. With the lifting of the suspension, Perak and Selangor will be able to resume supplying ducks and duck eggs to Singapore.

''AVA is satisfied that bird flu has been effectively eliminated in Malaysia and the disease prevention and control measures implemented by Malaysia's Department Veterinary Services (DVS) are adequate and in line with international standards,'' the AVA said in a statement.

Authorities in both countries will implement additional safeguards, such as pre-export testing and surveillance on accredited farms, to minimise risk of infection, the AVA said.

Before the ban, Singapore bought more than two-thirds of its daily poultry consumption from its northern neighbour.

While most countries in Southeast Asia have been hit hard by the deadly virus, the wealthy island-state has not yet seen any cases of avian flu.

REUTERS SY KP1410