UAE lifts ban on Sri Lanka's export of chicken, eggs

Daily News - 11/07/2014

The UAE government announced the lifting of the ban on Sri Lanka's export of chicken and eggs to the UAE market with immediate effect. UAE had previously imposed a blanket ban on Asian countries including Sri Lanka, covering the export of chicken meat and eggs due to Notifiable Avian Influenza (NAI).

Sri Lanka made a presentation to the Animal and Agricultural Affairs of the UAE Water and Environment Ministry to lift the ban as Sri Lanka is now free of Avian Influenza.

Industry and Commerce Ministry Commerce Department officials took up the matter through the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Dubai and submitted the documents with the support of the Department of Animal Production and Health, Peradeniya and the Industry stakeholders to UAE authorities to prove that Sri Lanka is now free of Avian Influenza.

The Sri Lanka Consulate in Dubai made representations to the UAE Water and Environment Ministry in Dubai. Consul General of Sri Lanka in Dubai Abdul Raheem along with industry stakeholders (Bairaha Farms PLC.) met Water and Environment Ministry Animal and Agricultural Affairs Under Secretary engineer Safi Mohammed Al Shara last year.

All 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.

Raheem said 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.

"I am pleased that the UAE has now informed that they are lifting ban on Sri Lankas export of chicken meat and eggs to the UAE market."

He said Sri Lanka was the first country that the UAE government has lifted the ban among other Asian countries.

Raheem said 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.

Raheem said these UAE regulations and formalities will be sent to the Sri Lankan authorities.

He said 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.

Raheem said 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 officials of the UAE Foreign Ministry and Water and Environment Ministry for the cooperation extended to Sri Lanka in lifting the export ban.