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250 sheep being SMUGGLED into UAE confiscated

Dubai - In collaboration with Hatta Customs Center, the operation was part of the Ministry's efforts to preserve the health of both the public and animals.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment confiscated on Saturday, 250 smuggled sheep that were entering from Oman through the Hatta border port crossing.
In collaboration with Hatta Customs Center, the operation was part of the Ministry's efforts to preserve the health of both the public and animals and to prevent the spread of infectious animal diseases.
The sheep were seized after security officials at the border port crossing inspected a truck that is designated for fish transportation. After inspection, the sheep that were found inside were in poor health due to shipping conditions that do not abide to hygiene criteria.
He said that smuggling live animals is a clear violation of federal legislations governing the importation of animals such as Articles 2, 4 and 5 of Federal Law No. (6) of 1979 on veterinary quarantine.
The articles ban the entry of imported animals and meat without properly undergoing quarantine procedures put in place to prevent an epidemic of infectious animal diseases.
They also state that animals imported by land, sea or air must go through proper veterinary procedures and mandate that consignments must be accompanied by an official veterinary health certificate issued by the country of origin to verify that the animals have been thoroughly checked and are free of any infectious disease before shipment.
The smugglers also breached Federal Law No. (16) of 2007 on animal welfare  as the seized animals were in poor health as they were crammed into the trucks during transport.
These centers are managed by specialized staff and are equipped with the latest tools and equipment that are necessary to ensure that entering live animals are free of infectious diseases, that they conform to importation regulations and that they have the official permits and certificates from the country of origin to ensure public safety and the health of local live animals.