St. Lucia bans poultry imports from UK

By Caribbean Medical News Staff
Out of an abundance of caution, the St. Lucia Ministry of Agriculture has placed a temporary ban on the importation of poultry and poultry products from the UK stating that this was done as a result of an outbreak of the bird flu there.
“The start date of the outbreak event is November 14, 2014 and pertains to the entire country,” the Ministry statement said.
The Ministry stated that the ban included all poultry, poultry meat products, processed internal organs or any products made from poultry and took place with immediate effect and for 21 days to start.
“These importation restrictions are part of quarantine measures aimed at preventing the entry of the Avian Influenza Virus into St Lucia and will remain in effect until further notice,” the Ministry indicated in a release.
Some local poultry farmers are relieved, however, stating that this may help local farmers despite the fact that typically, the country imports cheaper poultry products , especially chicken wings, from the UK and US annually from the US and United Kingdom.