Zanzibar tightens up policing of poultry import ban

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2006

ZANZIBAR, Tanzania (AFP) — Authorities on Zanzibar have tightened up policing of a ban on poultry imports to avert a possible outbreak of bird flu after two people were arrested smuggling live birds.

The two had smuggled hundreds of chickens into Tanzania's semi-autonomous archipelago in violation of a March ban, and now faced prosecution, officials said Tuesday.

Under Zanzibar law, suspects convicted of flouting the ban risk a six month jail-term and a fine of at least 50 dollars (40 euros) or both.

"We are taking precautions to protect the health of our people from possible bird flu infections and therefore banning the importation of chickens from neighboring countries, which includes mainland Tanzania," said Kassim Gharib, the island's director of...