Egypt orders airlines to comply with poultry ban

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2005

CAIRO (AFP) — Egypt's civil aviation authority has reportedly ordered all airlines flying into the country to strictly comply with a ban on imports of live birds and poultry products.

The order, which applies to imports by passengers as well as on cargo planes, reinforces a three-month ban authorities have slapped on poultry imports in response to the global bird flu scare, the official MENA news agency reported.

The measure will remain in place "until the extent of the bird flu ... becomes clear", civil aviation chief Samir Abul Maabud said.

Officials at the airport later said they had impounded poultry consignments from the United States, Germany and France and were waiting to hear from the importers whether they wanted to re-export the birds or have them...