Authorities in Oman have lifted the ban on import of Indian poultry and Spanish livestock, local news reports have said.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries banned the import of Indian poultry and its products in March after the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) had confirmed the report of spread of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza virus in few districts of Orissa, Tripura and Meghalaya, reports said.
Oman’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Fuad bin Jaafar bin Mohammed Al Sajwani, issued a decision to lift the ban on the import of live birds and their products from India on September 18, according to an official statement.
The decision was taken on the recommendation of veterinary authorities after it was ascertained that the reason for banning the import of poultry was no more applicable.
Prashant Desai, commercial manager of Al Hamadi Trading & Contracting, which used to import 150-200 tonnes of frozen chicken from India before the ban, said this a good time to lift the ban.
“Stocks will be readily available as demand in the Indian market is down these days because of Hindu festivals. Within 10 days we hope to have Indian poultry products in the Omani market,” he was quoted by Muscat Daily as saying.