Bird Flu – DGFT’s latest initiative in curbing import of birds – But what happens if the birds just fly in?
A customs officer sent a mail to his colleague, “what steps are we supposed to prevent bird flu?” “If the bird flew, what can we do” was the reply
DGFT has issued a periodical Notification, incorporating amendments in the General Notes on Import policy that prohibited import of certain birds, their semen and processed and unprocessed meat from all countries in view of the reported outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Fowl Plague). Similarly, certain live stock imports from the countries reporting the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Fowl Plague) are also prohibited. This notification is apparently on the basis of the Ministry of agriculture’s periodical notification S.O.160(E) Dated 06-02-2006 (the earlier notification 1104(E) Dated 06-08-2005 was valid for six months and expired on 05-02-2006).
Avian influenza, commonly known as “bird flu” or “Fowl Plague” has become a cause of concern to the Indian Government in the recent years. It is a contagious disease of animals caused by viruses that normally infect only birds and, less commonly, pigs. Avian influenza viruses are highly species-specific, but have, on rare occasions, crossed the species barrier to infect humans. In domestic poultry, infection with avian influenza viruses causes two main forms of disease, distinguished by “low Pathogenic” and “high Pathogenic” and the latter form is far more dangerous that spreads very rapidly through poultry flocks, causes disease affecting multiple internal organs, and has a mortality that can approach 100%, often within 48 hours.
Department of Animal Husbandry under the Ministry of Agriculture is alert and from to time has been issuing notifications prohibiting import of certain birds, their semen and processed and unprocessed meat from all the countries. Similarly, certain live stock imports from the countries reporting the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Fowl Plague) are also prohibited.
The important point is how many of the customs officers are aware about the countries that reported the outbreak of this “Bird Flu”? The Agriculture Ministry’s notifications as well as the DGFT Notifications do not specify these countries. It is very difficult for Customs to implement this prohibition as the officers may not be aware of the countries that are reporting/ have reported the outbreak of this Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. According to World Health Organization (WHO), from mid December 2003 through early February 2004, eight Asian countries have reported this. These include, The Republic of Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao People’s Republic, Indonesia and China. Further, the outbreak is also reported from August 2004 to till date from Malaysia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey and Romania. The investigations to know about this outbreak are on in several parts of the world. Japan, Republic of Korea and Malaysia have announced that they are free from the decease now. What is the import policy in case of imports from these countries? DGFT alone can give a clarification.
What is the danger for human life? – There is a real danger for human beings too. One particular virus –H5N1, the causative agent, as per experts, is of particular concern for human health also. The infection, if spread to human beings, especially from poultry, causes mild respiratory problem and may go to an extent of multi-organ failure. The greater concern is that this can mark the start of global outbreak (a pandemic). Four countries have reported human infection - Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. The solace is that the virus does not spread quickly from birds to humans.
An interesting and baffling point is –What if the migratory birds carry this to India? - No one is able to answer to this. The Indian Government is trying its best to stop this by prohibiting imports from the countries that reported the outbreak. At least to some extent, this action is appreciable.
For the benefit of the importers of Livestock and Livestock Products, and also for the benefit of all field formations of Customs, we are carrying today a detailed write up with the latest update of the legal provisions. IMPORT OF LIVE STOCK AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS we hope this will be useful to our esteemed netizens.
DGFT Notification No. 43 (RE-2005) Dated February 8, 2006