Sri Lanka has banned the import of live poultry, poultry products and by-products from all countries, local media reported Wednesday.
"At the moment the bird flu does not exist in Sri Lanka, but the disease can be carried into the country by importation of poultry, poultry products and through migratory birds," Director- General of the Department of Animal Production and Health S. Amarasekera was quoted by Daily News as saying.
"We have banned the import of poultry, poultry products and also stopped issuing permits for importation temporarily. The Department has set up a veterinary network for monitoring migratory birds in areas that these birds exist," he said.
The Ministry of Livestock Development has also formulated a committee to combat the disease and it will operate at the national and regional level. The Ministry has also proposed to the Cabinet to release funds to combat the disease, Amarasekera said.
The total poultry production in Sri Lanka is recorded as 60,000 metric tons to 65,000 metric tons each year, of which nearly 3,000 metric tons are imported, the paper added.