The Ministry of Municipality and Environment’s (MME) Animal Wealth Department has banned import and export of all kinds of live birds on account of a bird flu outbreak in some parts of the world, a source has told local Arabic daily Arrayah.
The action is a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of bird flu virus in the country. The source added that the department has implemented these procedures in co-ordination with the Environmental Protection, Protectorates and Wildlife Department and other entities concerned to guarantee full control at all Qatari entry and exit points, and examine all birds before being brought into the country.
Further, all animal consignments coming from countries with registered cases of bird flu will be subject to tighter veterinary control. In addition, a blood test will be conducted on all birds entered in local races and festivals and those displayed for sale at the local market. Similarly, tighter control will be exercised on the falcons taken for festivals in neighboring countries.
