Bird feathers still at port

Several attempts were made to contact the minister, who is also acting Minister of Agriculture, to find out what would happen to the container, but Newsday was told the minister was in a meeting.

The feathers were imported by Jimmy Aboud for the Carnival season. The container has been at the port for some days and is a source of grave concern with the outbreak of Avian Influenza in Asia and Europe linked to the H5N1 strain of Influenza A virus. Prior to getting clearance by Customs, the shipment has to be certified as being safe by the Ministry of Agriculture. Port officials were unable to comment yesterday on the status of the shipment which Newsday learnt has not been opened since its arrival.

The Director of the Animal Production and Health Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Stephen Johnston, yesterday said it is risky to import from China in light of the presence of bird flu.    

"We would not entertain the importation of avian products from there," he said.

China has culled thousands of birds due to the bird flu epidemic and also had four people suspected of being infected with H5N1. The virus has infected more than 100 people mainly in Asia.

Johnston told Newsday yesterday that with surveillance being increased, the ministry would not have allowed avian (bird) products from China as it was "not on our list of scheduled countries" for imports. The ministry has also introduced a total ban on the import of pet birds, and all non-essential, non-food poultry.

Johnston said the issue is not only about feathers from high risk areas, he said an import permit is required for all live animal and animal products from scheduled countries.

"Not any and everyone can bring anything. According to the disease situation in the country we may not issue an import permit. The permit is intended to protect the country from the introduction of disease." Johnston said it was up to the importer to ensure that the product shipped to TT would be accepted "prior to bringing it."

Persons importing live animal and animal products are required to get an import certificate from the ministry. The shipment is inspected by a veterinarian from the ministry, then if all requirements are satisfied, the certificate is granted. The document is taken to Customs for clearance. Customs can refuse entry based on recommendations from the Ministries of Agriculture, or Health.

Manager of Jimmy Aboud, Gregory Aboud, yesterday said the container of feathers from China which was awaiting clearance at the Port-of-Spain port had not been "seized" by the port.

He said the order for the feathers was placed "long before" there was heightened concern about the spread of bird flu. Aboud said his business did not purchase raw feathers, and those ordered had been treated, dyed and washed for "decorative purposes."

He reiterated his willingness "to submit to the rules that exist because of the current situation." He said all birds and bird products were being scrutinised. Aboud said the container will be sent back if it is not cleared for entry.

Steve Samaroo of Samaroo’s Ltd, a popular Carnival supplier, said he imports feathers from US and has been in the business of importing supplies for 56 years.

He said the process involved getting an export certificate from the US Department of Agriculture where "the US government has strict requirements." The next step is to get an import certificate from the Ministry of Agriculture. Samaroo said the feathers will be inspected to see "how it has been treated, sterilised, the drying process, to see that it is completely clean and pest free. That has to be certified by the exporter and the ministry ensures that it is complied with."