Barbadians travelling overseas and planning to bring in meat or animal products for the holidays, or overseas nationals coming home with the same intention, are reminded that they must first obtain Import Permits from the Veterinary Services Department of the Ministry of Agriculture.

According to Veterinary Officer of the Veterinary Services Department, Dr. Rosina Maitland, "meat and meat products in their original commercial packaging may be brought from the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada and the United Kingdom, while commercially packaged cooked poultry products only are allowed from the Caribbean."

Additionally, all types of patties from Jamaica are now allowed, provided that permits have been obtained.

Meat ??and meat products include: fresh, frozen or chilled cuts of meat or poultry; processed meats including hams, sausages, bacon, hot dogs, hamburgers, canned hams and other meats and pastries containing meat filling including meat patties, meat rolls, rotis and the like. They must be in the original sealed commercial packaging and must not exceed 25 lbs (11kg).

Places of entertainment planning holiday functions and seeking to import headdresses, masks, decorations, etc. which contain feathers or other animal-derived products, are also reminded that import permits are required to allow entry of these products into Barbados.

Applications for permits can be made at the Veterinary Services Offices, The Pine, St. Michael. Interested persons may call 427-5492 or 427-5073 or visit the Department’s page on the Ministry of Agriculture’s website at http://www.agriculture.gov.bb/, for additional information.

Failure to comply with the regulations will result in the confiscation of all meat and meat products, as well as any other products of animal origin.??cgaskin@barbados.gov.bb

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