Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SINGAPORE539
2006-02-23 05:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Singapore
Cable title:  

SINGAPORE'S RESPONSE TO AVIAN INFLUENZA IN KUALA

Tags:  KFLU EAGR TBIO ETRD ECON AMED CASC SN 
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VZCZCXRO5967
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHGP #0539 0540528
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 230528Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8870
INFO RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 5944
UNCLAS SINGAPORE 000539 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR CA\OCS DAS ERYAN
STATE PASS HHS FOR ABHAT

SIPDIS

E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: KFLU EAGR TBIO ETRD ECON AMED CASC SN

SUBJECT: SINGAPORE'S RESPONSE TO AVIAN INFLUENZA IN KUALA
LUMPUR

REF: A) KUALA LUMPUR 291 B) 2005 SINGAPORE 3481

UNCLAS SINGAPORE 000539

SIPDIS

STATE FOR CA\OCS DAS ERYAN
STATE PASS HHS FOR ABHAT

SIPDIS

E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: KFLU EAGR TBIO ETRD ECON AMED CASC SN

SUBJECT: SINGAPORE'S RESPONSE TO AVIAN INFLUENZA IN KUALA
LUMPUR

REF: A) KUALA LUMPUR 291 B) 2005 SINGAPORE 3481


1. As noted reftel A, Singapore on February 20 banned
poultry and egg imports from the Malaysian state of Selangor
(that surrounds Kuala Lumpur) in response to the detection
there of H5N1 avian influenza (AI). Singapore Agri-
Veterinary Authority (AVA) officials told us that the ban
was in accordance with bilateral protocols established
following AI outbreaks along Malaysia's border with Thailand
during 2003-2004. Singapore's total ban on Malaysian
poultry imports in response to this previous outbreak
resulted in hoarding and sharp rises in prices of chicken
and eggs (reftel B). This situation abated only after
Singapore adopted a regionalized approach to its import
bans. Currently, in addition to Selangor, Singapore
maintains a permanent ban on poultry imports from the
northern Malaysian states bordering Thailand (termed a
"buffer region"). It allows imports from the AI-free zones
of Johor, Malacca, Perak and Negri Sembilan.


2. Contrary to local media reports, which described AVA as
having "swung into heightened alert" in response to the
Selangor outbreak, AVA officials asserted that they were not
undertaking any new precautions or procedures, noting that
Singapore had been adhering to a policy of "100-percent"
surveillance of all poultry and egg imports from Malaysia
since 2004. AVA said that it did not foresee the need to
provide assistance to Malaysian veterinary and health
authorities since they had considerable experience with
managing such outbreaks.


3. Although AVA had previously accredited five farms in
Selangor to supply poultry, none has exported to Singapore
since August 2004. The ban affects one egg farm in
Selangor, which accounts for 5 percent of Singapore's total
egg imports from Malaysia. Singapore imports the majority
of its poultry and eggs from Malaysia -- approximately
115,000 chickens, 20,000 ducks, and 2 million eggs every
day.

HERBOLD