WINDHOEK, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Namibia on Friday suspended the import and in-transit movement of live poultry and poultry products from the Netherlands, Germany, Britain, Belgium, Poland, Denmark, Sweden and France following the outbreak of bird flu.

"The Directorate of Veterinary Services would like to inform the importers about the immediate suspension of import and in-transit movement of live poultry, birds, raw/uncooked poultry products, live ostriches, and raw ostrich products from the above-mentioned counties due to the outbreak of HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) in poultry in those countries," Chief Veterinary Officer Albertina Shilongo said.

Shilongo said the policy replaces the veterinary notification to importers that was issued on Dec. 29, 2020.

The official said that since the incubation period of the disease is 21 days as determined by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the suspension takes effect 21 days prior to the date of start of the event with the date varying between October and November 2020.

"Thus, consignments containing poultry products packed in their final packaging on or after the date of start of suspension will be rejected and sent back to the country of origin or destroyed at the importer's cost," she added.

Meanwhile, she said all previously issued import and in-transit permits are hereby canceled and recalled with immediate effect. Enditem

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