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Only registered farms permitted to import poultry and livestock

Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture has stated that permission to import poultry and livestock will now only be issued to individuals that have registered a farm with the government.

The ministry issued the order after receiving complaints that some individuals are importing large birds such as ostriches to sell and keep as pets under the permit issued to import such birds for poultry farms. Recently, videos of such birds have been circulating on social media.

The ministry said poultry birds are allowed to be kept on farms that meet the standards that are based on internationally applicable animal welfare standards and biosecurity standards. Therefore, the ministry said poultry birds should be kept on special farms away from residential areas for the safety and security of the public.

The ministry has started issuing permits to import such large animals with the aim of promoting the livestock industry in the Maldives. As such, individuals importing livestock must abide by the regulations for the safety and security of such animals and the public. Therefore, permission to import such birds will be issued to those who have registered a farm with the ministry from henceforth.