Zimbabwe is on high alert for avian flu and has imposed stringent measures on imports of poultry products following outbreaks in three neighbouring countries, a senior official said on Tuesday.
Department of Veterinary Services director Josphat Nyika said Zimbabwe has tightened measures to control the entry of poultry products into the country, with only deboned meats being imported from countries other than Botswana, Namibia and South Africa where the disease has been reported recently.
“We are only importing the mechanically deboned meats from sources that would have been found to be of no risk,” Nyika told state media.
He said his department is now carrying out strict risk assessment exercises before allowing any food imports.
Awareness is also being raised among all poultry industry value chain players on the urgent need to strengthen their biosecurity measures, he said.
JN/APA