Govt Suspends Some US Poultry Imports, Cites Bird Flu

The government has suspended imports of poultry meat and products, including eggs, from some parts of the United States following outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza, it said on Monday.

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS), a unit of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, said that it had suspended imports from specific areas in seven US states – namely Kansas, Minnesota, Maine, New York, Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota.

A spokesman said: "The CFS has contacted the American authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the [World Organisation for Animal Health] and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation."