Singapore will lift the suspension on imports of poultry and poultry products from the disease-free zones in Malaysia's Selangor and Perak states with effect from June 30, 2006.

According to a statement issued by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) of Singapore on Wednesday, its officers had visited these two states in recent weeks to evaluate the anti-bird flu surveillance and bio-security measures taken by Malaysia's Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).

"AVA is satisfied that bird flu has been effectively eliminated from poultry in Malaysia and the disease prevention and control measures implemented by DVS are adequate and in line with international standards," the statement said.

The lifting of the suspension will enable five chicken broiler farms and one layer farm in Selangor, as well as 37 duck farms in Perak to resume exports of eggs and ducks to Singapore.

Besides, Singapore will continue importing poultry from the disease-free zones in Malaysia's states of Johor, Malacca and Negri Sembilan, the AVA said.

Singapore has suspended poultry and egg imports from Selangor and Perak since Feb. 20 and March 16 this year respectively following the detection of H5N1 bird flu virus in chickens and ducks there.

Before the suspension, Selangor supplied about 3 percent of the 1.16 billion eggs consumed in Singapore every year while Perak supplied some 80 percent of the 14,800 tons of ducks eaten here yearly.

Malaysia declared itself free from bird flu on June 22 this year according to the international guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health.

No bird flu virus has been detected in Singapore so far.

Source: Xinhua