Sri Lanka made a presentation to the Animal and Agricultural Affairs of the UAE Ministry of Water and Environment to lift the ban, as Sri Lanka is now free of Avian Influenza.
The Department of Commerce of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce took up the matter through Sri Lanka Consulate General in Dubai and submitted all necessary documents with the support of Department of Animal Production & Health, Peradeniya and the Industry stakeholders to UAE authorities to proof that Sri Lanka is now free of Avian Influenza.
The Sri Lanka Consulate in Dubai made representations to the UAE Ministry of Water and Environment in Dubai and Mr. Abdul Raheem, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Dubai along with industry stakeholders (Bairaha Farms PLC.) met Engineer H.E. Safi Mohammed Al Shara, Under Secretary, Animal and Agricultural Affairs of the Ministry of Water & Environment last year.
All necessary documentation to prove that Sri Lanka is now free of Avian Influenza was submitted through the UAE Foreign Ministry by the Sri Lanka Mission in Dubai.
Mr. Abdul Raheem, stated that “Since the blanket ban on Asian countries was imposed by UAE, it took some time for the UAE authorities to examine the Sri Lankan situation and I am pleased that the UAE has now informed that they are lifting ban on Sri Lanka’s export of chicken meat and eggs to the UAE market.” He mentioned that Sri Lanka was the first country that UAE Government has lifted the ban among the other Asian countries.
Mr. Abdul Raheem however added that although the ban has been lifted by UAE authorities, Sri Lanka will have to fulfill other requirements such as general requirements for Halal Certification bodies in Sri Lanka, animal slaughtering requirements according to Islamic Law and hygienic regulations for poultry processing abattoirs and their personnel prior to exporting Sri Lanka products to the UAE market.
Accordingly, export of table eggs can be done with immediate effect but the export of chicken meat and processed chicken products has to meet the above requirements before shipping from Sri Lanka.
Consul General Abdul Raheem said that these UAE regulations and formalities will be sent to the Sri Lankan authorities.
He said that the export ban was discussed with stakeholders in Sri Lanka and the industry stakeholders have come forward to voluntarily facilitate compliance with the new regulations, as the poultry industry has now become a fast developing sector, including rural areas in Sri Lanka.
Mr. Abdul Raheem also stated that if Sri Lankan chicken meat products can gain market access in the UAE, there is a strong possibility that these products will be eventually penetrate other GCC markets, as well. He appreciated the role of the UAE Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Water & Environment for the cooperation extended to Sri Lanka in lifting the export ban. (HC)
