Warning on importation of feathers

Feathers are sometimes used in the construction of Carnival costumes
Feathers are sometimes used in the construction of Carnival costumes

Authorities are warning that bird feathers should not be imported into Dominica unless the process is facilitated through the Ministry of Agriculture.

Feathers are sometimes used in Carnival costumes and there are fears that importing them directly could expose the island to the Avian Influenza, also known as the Bird Flu or Avian Flu.

“Remember the feathers come from birds and there are many diseases which can be transported via feathers,” Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Reginald Thomas warned.

He continued, “So this is just a reminder to those concerned particularly because we are being faced by Avian Flu in many parts of the world at this time and we just want to be cautious, for the costume builders, for the country as a whole.”

Asian countries in particular are under the microscope.

“We would prefer not bring in feathers from any of the Asian countries at this time, unless there is some treatment from the transshipment point,” Dr. Thomas stated.

Those who want to import feathers must do so through the Ministry of Agriculture.

“You come to the Ministry of Agriculture, inform us that you are trying to import quantities. You will be referred to the Veterinary Service in the country from which you are importing, they will issue an export document to you, a health document indicating what the feathers are, what quantities and where they came from and we will in turn provide an import permit to you,” Dr. Thomas explained.

He stated this is all a matter of putting safety first for the people who are handling the feathers.

“It is important that persons understand that it is a precaution for them because they are the one that are going to handle the feathers,” Dr. Thomas said.

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16 Comments

  1. ?????????
    February 1, 2015

    I was of tye opinion that those feathers where synthetic….. 8) but wat i kno nuh..idoe wrk in ministry

    • The Facts
      February 2, 2015

      Even synthetic, what is in them?

  2. :)
    February 1, 2015

    Not like people are plucking feathers to use for costumes! Sounds like someone just wants to feel important and smart.. nice try. Sometimes people are given such little authority in their job, they have to use it all up at once. smh.

  3. Me
    January 31, 2015

    All imports of finished feather products into the U.S.A. are subject to inspection to ensure they are clean. Washed & bulked feathers require a certificate of sterilisation from the supplier. I’m sure that if you import finished products from Hobby Lobby or Walmart from the U.S.A. the Ministry of Agriculture will have no objection to that.

    PS. All feathers come from birds!

  4. MUDD
    January 31, 2015

    I’m a costume builder sir, let me inform you is not all the feathers that are real, some are imitation.

  5. SMH
    January 31, 2015

    Erm….they serious man! Lol!

  6. Zbigniew Brzezinski
    January 31, 2015

    Feathers my foot just another way to make money of poor people, sometimes i wonder if Dr.Thomas grow up in Dominica, it is only carnival that happens once a year, u just hate to see people happy

  7. The Facts
    January 30, 2015

    Governments of smaller countries cannot take a chance on certain imports. There are all sorts of flu which do not have a name. Some could be deadly. There are those which have strange names as HINI and 5, etc.
    In recent months there is a flu in Canada and as I also heard in the US when contracted it weakens the body and could last for a few weeks. One person in especially a household contracts it, other family members contract it. It has affected thousands of people. Most of them took a flu vaccine which did not help them to avoid this one. To my knowledge, health authorities do not have a name for it. We are told if we have it, to stay home.
    The best thing to do is to avoid travel as well and especially certain imports at this time until hopefully it is over. Who knows when?

  8. Yuyu
    January 30, 2015

    The feathers that are being used for carnival costumes are man made feathers. They are made at a factory .

  9. Jon Carson
    January 30, 2015

    Dr. Thomas, all off this no matter how well intended, beckons the question why the tardiness in the notification to the general public and carnival lovers? When carnival is again Dr. Thomas is it six months from the date of your release? The way we conduct business in Dominica never ceases to amaze me.

  10. Citizen
    January 30, 2015

    I am sick about Dominica’s so-called experts. :mrgreen:

  11. January 30, 2015

    If the flu wss not transported before we would not get it again Trinidad and Rio must be full of bird flu

  12. want to know
    January 30, 2015

    Forget about bird flu or where those feathers come from, I waan know who this beautiful Princess be. I’d like to meet her.

  13. jennifer-Anne Fadell
    January 30, 2015

    Dr. Thomas, Do you really think that the Dollar store or Wallmart or Hobby lobby issues those certificates? what about maskes with feathers, they are dyed, and treated. you’all need to be more clear….. what is bird feathers and what is decorative feathers.

    • Merlot
      January 30, 2015

      This “Dr. ” does not have a CLUE….feathers used in costumes AE all synthetic ie MANMADE.. Smh. I really wish they would research these things before coming on media sounding like fools.

    • The Facts
      January 30, 2015

      You should comprehend that government of those countries should be approached to issue a health and safety certificate.

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