Bird flu knocks out Carnival feathers

A CONTAINER of feathers ordered from China by Jimmy Aboud, The Textile King for the Carnival season, has been barred entry at the Port-of-Spain Port as a precautionary measure on birds and bird products to prevent the importation of H5N1 bird flu into Trinidad and Tobago. A red flag was raised at the Port when it was learnt that the feathers were imported from China. The H5N1 strain of the influenza, a virus that has ravaged the poultry industry in Asia,  killed 63 people and caused 200 million birds in Asia to be culled. On November 9, Agriculture Minister Jarrette Narine announced a total ban on imports of pet birds and all other non-essential, non-food poultry.

Recently, 370,000 birds in the Liaoning Province, Badaohao Village in China were culled after the flu infected 8,940 chickens. There have also been suspected cases among humans. H5N1 is a worry for health officials who fear the virus (which can infect both birds and humans and can mutate rapidly) will mutate and be easily transmitted between humans. According to a report Port officials plan to spray the feathers and send it back. Contacted yesterday, Jimmy Aboud’s manager Gregory Aboud said, “we are working that out. There are new rules with respect to the veterinary certificate.” “Aboud said all the requirements the Port requested will be satisfied. Asked to elaborate he said the Port wanted an assurance that the feathers were not produced in a factory near a farm.”

He said the measures were the result of heightened awareness and a circular had been sent out to band leaders and suppliers regarding feathers. Aboud could not say when the container arrived in Trinidad as he did not have the “particulars.” He also could not quantify his losses. “I can’t say the losses. Health concerns are more important than monetary losses.” Although he said all the requirements requested would be satisfied, Aboud did not know “if it (the container) will or will not be cleared.” He said if the container was not cleared it would not be the first instance of that happening in Trinidad. He said in the past other shipments of feathers as well as animal products and even furniture  had been refused entry to businesses. He said the shipment of feathers on the port “can be returned.”

Aboud downplayed the negative impact this could have. He said the shipment was a new arrival and there was still enough time for Carnival bands to get their own. He said some bands  purchased their own feathers to be more original in their presentations. Persons importing birds and animal products are required to get an import permit from the chief veterinary officer.  However, the bird flu scare has prompted more vigilance by health and agriculture officials. Other bandleaders, when contacted, said they normally buy their feathers from Jimmy Aboud, but would now go abroad to get the feathers in time for the 2006 Carnival season.