Sabah bans import of poultry from Philippines

MALAYSIA - Sabah has cancelled licences allowing the import of poultry from the Philippines after the first case of bird flu was detected in the country last week.

Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail said licences, issued by the Livestock and Animal Husbandry Department, have been terminated with immediate effect.

"We will also not allow transit of any type of poultry from the Philippines to make sure that the disease does not spread to Sabah.

"We call on all enforcement agencies to monitor entry points. We also advise visitors from the Philippines not to bring in poultry or poultry-based products," Rahim said in a statement issued today.

Source: New Straits Times

11 July 2005