Pet food import containing meat from avian species has been exempted from the ban, reports The Hindu Business Line.

Also excluded is the animal feed made from pig and bird products. Import of live poultry, captive birds, chicks, ducks, meat and meat products from avian species, including wild birds, egg products, feathers, live pig and unprocessed pig products is ban ned from countries reporting Avian influenza, Directorate General of Foreign Trade said in a notification.

The products notified for import ban by the Commerce Ministry from the affected countries include pathological and biological products from birds, products of animal origin (from birds) intended for use in animal feeding or for agricultural or industrial use.

Indonesia, UK, Egypt, Cambodia, China, Lao and Nigeria reported outbreaks of avian flu in 2007, according to the newspaper.

However, the restriction would not be applicable to import of pathological material and biological products for diagnostic and research purposes from countries that are members of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Besides a ban on imports from the affected countries, the government has prohibited import of several items from across the world. These include domestic and wild birds (excluding poultry and captive birds), unprocessed meat and meat products from avian species including wild birds (except poultry) and semen of domestic and wild birds.