India restricts meat imports on bird flu fears

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India has imposed restrictions on meat imports, particularly from countries which have seen cases of bird flu, the commerce and industry ministry said on Wednesday.

For countries where bird flu cases have been reported, India has banned imports of live birds, including poultry; bird meat and eggs or their products; pigs and unprocessed pig products; and products intended for use in animal feeding, agriculture or industrial use.

The ministry said the restrictions would apply both to cases of "highly pathogenic" and "low pathogenic notifiable avian influenza".

From countries where bird flu has not been reported, imports of all birds other than poultry and captive birds have been stopped. The government has also banned unprocessed meat and meat products from "avian species" from these countries.

The curbs are listed in a government order dated Sept. 23, which appeared on the ministry's official website on Wednesday.

For the release, see: here .