Singapore today said a ban on live duck imports from Perak state will be lifted from January after being satisfied the area is free of bird flu.

In September the city-state lifted a ban on poultry and eggs from two other Malaysian states, Malacca and Johor, partially ending a country-wide suspension put in place on Aug 18.

"AVA has worked closely with Malaysia's Department of Veterinary Services to establish two bird flu free zones in Perak, encompassing the major duck production areas," the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said in a statement.

"With these bird flu free zones in place, duck imports from Perak can resume without compromising public and animal health."

Singapore removed the ban from Johor and Malacca after taking similar precautions to ensure safety from the avian flu that killed 32 people in Asia in 2004, although bans on imports from other Malaysian states still remain.

The AVA cited several control measures that their Malaysian counterparts have undertaken, including hygiene maintenance, intensive surveillance and the setting up of strict controls at major checkpoints to prevent smuggling of livestock.

It will also carry out inspections on the ducks when they arrive in Singapore and at the slaughterhouses.

Singapore, a small but affluent island-nation with virtually no farm sector, normally imports 120,000 live chickens and 20,000 live ducks daily from Malaysia.