DUSHANBE, March 14, Asia-Plus - Tajikistan has introduced restrictions on imports of chickens and others birds and poultry from the countries, where an outbreak of bird flu was registered, Tajik veterinary service chief Mullojon Amirbekov said.

According to him, these measures have been introduced to help prevent the spread of bird flu in the country.  

“Since the beginning of the month, the country’s veterinary service jointly with Tajik customs officers has tightened border control of imports of chickens and other birds,” said Amirbekov, “Restrictions has been effective since March 1 and may possibly last through April.”  

In the meantime, according to the Tajik customs service, veterinary and customs control will pay a special attention to poultry coming from Russia, where the outbreak of avian influenza was registered recently.  

“Besides Russia and some CIS states, Turkey, Japan, China, Thailand, Iran and Pakistan have also been included on a “blacklist,” a source at the customs service said.