Benin bans poultry imports from countries affected by bird flu

Benin's government has banned importation, distribution and transit of chicken, frozen poultry, day-old chicks, eggs, cattle food and chicken feed from Nigeria to prevent entry of bird flu, a source from Benin's agriculture ministry said Tuesday.

The source said Nigeria's veterinary services, through the World Organization for Animal Health, had announced the reappearance of bird flu in northern province of Kano and in the southern regions of Lagos.

"Given the numerous cross border transactions between our country and neighbouring Nigeria, the minister for agriculture has banned, until further notice, importation of chicken, frozen poultry, day-old chicks, eggs, cattle food and chicken feed from Nigeria, and also from other countries affected by bird flu," the statement said.

The statement further urged Beninese population not only to remain calm and follow prescribed hygiene measures by properly cooking their food, but also to adhere to the stipulated border control measures with regards to poultry imports. Endi