India bans poultry imports from AI-affected countries

Imports of live poultry, captive birds, chicks, ducks, meat and meat products from avian species, including wild birds, egg products, feathers, live pig and unprocessed pig products is banned from countries reporting avian influenza, said the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Pet food imports containing meat from avian species has been exempted from the ban.

The products notified for import ban by the Commerce Ministry from the affected countries include pathological and biological products from birds, products of animal origin (from birds) intended for use in animal feeding or for agricultural or industrial use.

However, the restriction would not be applicable to import of pathological material and biological products for diagnostic and research purposes from countries that are members of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).