Singapore, Feb 21: Singapore suspended poultry and bird imports from Canada today while assuring the public the city-state is will free from the virus. The Agri-food and Veterinary Authority added Canada to the list of countries it has stopped importing chickens from upon receiving reports of an avian influenza outbreak in British Columbia.
''To prevent the disease from entering Singapore,'' the AVA said it was taking precautionary measures such as the suspension.
The city-state imported 179.49 tonnes of chicken meat from Canada in 2003.
Singapore imports 103,000 tonnes of chicken meat a year, mainly from Brazil.
In addition, 120,000 live chickens are imported daily from Malaysia for slaughter here. Singapore's neighbour is also free of the disease. Bureau Report