The Food and Veterinary Regulation Division within the Ministry for Rural Affairs and Environment announced that imports of untreated feathers from Turkey to Malta and all European countries have been suspended.
This measure has been taken in view of the recent several outbreaks of avian influenza in this country. Moreover, as the disease is likely to have been spread to Turkey by migratory birds, the presence of the disease in neighbouring countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Iraq and Syria cannot be excluded.
Therefore, the European Commission also recommended the suspension of imports of untreated feathers from these third countries.
With respect to treated feathers from the third countries concerned (excluding treated decorative feathers, treated feathers carried by travellers for their private use or consignments of treated feathers sent to private individuals for non industrial purposes), a proof that the necessary treatment has been affected is to be requested. Such proof is to be in the form of a commercial document.
In Turkey, three children died last week as a result of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu, while on Sunday three persons tested positive of the virus. These were the first human cases of the H5N1 infection reported in European countries. According to euobserver Since January 2004, 144 cases have been reported in Turkey, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and China.
It was also reported that Iran closed its border crossings to Turkey, while Russia recommended its citizens to avoid travelling to Turkey.
Last year, a simulation exercise regarding the avian influenza was held in Malta.
See also:
Simulation exercise results to be analysed
By MaltaMedia News - Oct 21, 2005, 15:16 CET
© Copyright 2005 - MaltaMedia Online Network
Top of Page
| 
