Illicit Poultry Trade Fuels Spread of Bird Flu, Experts Warn

The global spread of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus has been linked to a thriving international trade in smuggled poultry products, according to experts. This illicit trade, which includes birds, chicks, eggs, meat, feathers, and other products, is making a significant contribution to the spread of the virus, despite bans on poultry imports from infected countries. The trade is hard to control due to the large volume of goods crossing borders daily, with labels and paperwork often being falsified to conceal the origin of the products.

Key Takeaways:

• The illicit trade in poultry products is a substantial business, possibly second only to narcotics in international contraband.
• The H5N1 virus survives not just in live birds but also in frozen meat, feathers, bones, and on used cages, and can be spread through contaminated feed or fertilizer.
• Experts attribute the spread of H5N1 to both bird migration and trade, but emphasize that trade, particularly illegal trade, is more significant.
• The trade is often linked to economic incentives, such as avoiding duties or meeting cultural demands for specific products.
• The Nigerian government's ban on poultry imports created an entirely illicit trade, with all imports being smuggled in.
• The Chinese government has a significant problem with avian influenza and is a major exporter of chicken and poultry products.
• There is extensive illegal trade between China and Africa, with experts citing economic and cultural factors driving the trade.
• Smuggled poultry products can be easily relabeled and re-enter the market, making it challenging to track and control the trade.

Statistics:

• Three million packages of chicken meat were seized in a warehouse in Milan, Italy, in a raid by health inspectors.
• 260 tons of meat were found hidden among containers in a port in Italy, destined for Moldova.
• The smuggled meat was spread across several containers, making it difficult to detect.
• The Nigerian government banned poultry imports, leading to an entirely illicit trade.
• Producers in Egypt and Nigeria imported day-old chicks at a cost of about 20 cents per bird.
• The Nigerian poultry industry was growing at 8 percent annually before the government banned imports.