Drive aims at better quarantine measures

The Ministry of Environment and Water yesterday launched its third campaign to educate passengers on quarantine procedures at airport terminals here. The campaign is being carried out under the slogan ‘What you carry may cause you harm'. The ministry will be organising lectures, aiming to educate travellers on the dangers of importing products illegally and without necessary certification. It will also distribute brochures, pamphlets and mementos to travellers, as well as set up a display of seized products made from banned materials. During a press conference held at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 yesterday, Dr Mariam Al Shinasi, Undersecretary at the ministry, said the campaign aims to increase awareness among travellers and to curb the spread of plagues and other diseases that may be present in animals and plants brought into the country. The campaign will consist of three phases and will be carried out in all three passenger terminals of Dubai International Airport. Article continues below Banned substances "Seeds and fruits brought by travellers can contribute to the spread of agricultural diseases or pests. Antiques made from banned substances can also be seized by the ministry because they will not be accompanied by the necessary certificates," said Al Shinasi. Al Shinasi said according to the ministry's reports, some of the most commonly seized items are monkeys, houbara birds, falcons, ivory, African python and snakes, cycad trees and Nile crocodile products. She added that quarantine procedures are in accordance with Federal Law No 11 of 2002, regarding the regulation and control of endangered animals and plant trade and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The law prohibits the import, transit, cargo unloading and reloading, or entry by sea of any plant, its parts or products into the country until all conditions and procedures of importing and exporting are met. Al Shinasi pointed out that the UAE issued 4,631 CITES certificates in 2011. "The number of certificates issued in the country is increasing due to the UAE's strategic geographic location, which is linked with countries that are part of the convention," she added.