Ban on chick imports lifted

Sri Lanka has partially lifted a ban on poultry imports and allowed farmers to bring in one-day old chicks to maintain a steady supply of chicken and eggs, an official said yesterday.

"The ban on import of day-old parent chicks has been lifted from this year, from countries free of bird flu like India, France and Britain," All Island Poultry Association, Chairman, D. D. Wanasinghe said.

The imports were essential to maintain routine production cycles and ensure a steady supply in the local market, he said.

Sri Lanka slapped a blanket ban on all poultry imports in October amid fears of a global bird flu pandemic.

Poultry imports to Sri Lanka have been controlled since the first reported cases of avian influenza two years ago. Imports of whole chickens as well as chicken parts are still not allowed.

The bird flu virus has killed more than 70 people in Asia since 2003.

Scientists warn that contact between infected birds and humans may eventually result in the virus mutating into a form that could be easily passed on by humans, sparking a pandemic that could claim millions of lives. (AFP)