UAE bans British poultry imports. citing bird flu

DUBAI, Feb 10 (Reuters) The United Arab Emirates has banned British poultry imports to prevent the spread of bird flu, the country's official news agency WAM said today quoting the environment minister.

''The Minister of Environment and Water Mohammed Saeed al-Kindi has issued instructions to ban imports of poultry...from the United Kingdom after discovering cases of bird flu there,'' WAM said.

Adding, the decision was effective from the day of publication and would remain in force until further notice.

No figures were immediately available for the value or quantity of British poultry imports into the UAE.

The highly infectious H5N1 strain of bird flu was discovered last week at a turkey farm in eastern England. Authorities have culled more than 150,000 turkeys there to stop the spread of the virus.

REUTERS AB KN1554