Subject: Clearance of livestock and livestock products – Alert - reg.

1. I am directed to inform that there is an outbreak of Avian Influenza in Bangladesh. The official report indicates that Avian Influenza (Avian Flu) has spread rapidly in areas in and around Dhaka. Chicken from poultry farms in northern suburbs of Dhaka, such as Savar and Gazipur, as well as southern suburbs like Narayanganj have been found to be infected. Chickens have been found to be infected by H5N1 virus at various poultries like Biman Poultry, Bibi Ayesha Farm, Rahman Poultry, Monir Hossain Poultry and Happy Poultry Farm. You may also note that Avian Influenza was reported in Myanmar in February, 2007 and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) is showing Myanmar as one of the locations affected by Avian Influenza in Animals (Type H5) as on date in their daily update on Avian Influenza in Animals. Accordingly, immediate action is required to be taken to prevent further spread of Avian Influenza into India.
   
2. In this connection, attention is invited to Board’s Circular No.13/2007 dated 02.03.2007. It was mentioned in the said circular that all consignments of livestock and livestock products are referred to Quarantine Authorities before Customs clearance of goods, regardless of any Sanitary Import Permits (SIPs) that may have been issued and clearance should be allowed only after no objection is received from Quarantine authorities.
   
3. In view of recent outbreak in neighboring countries, you may further ensure that, -
   1. Immediately alert all concerned about the fact of outbreak of Avian Influenza, so that NO consignment is cleared without proper clearance of Quarantine authorities.
   2. Import of any livestock / livestock product should be kept in separate identified place till its final clearance.
   3. IIn case of detection of any Avian Influenza consignment, the same should be immediately reported to Board.
      
4. You are requested to ensure strict compliance of the above instructions. The receipt of these instructions may be acknowledged by return FAX.
   

Yours faithfully,br>
Sd./

(M.M.Parthiban)
Director (Customs)
Tel. No. 23093908