Press Release: Avian influenza outbreak in Asia: Member States agree to prolong import embargo on poultry products

The Standing Committee for the Food Chain and Animal Health, representing the Member States, agreed on 3 February 2004 to the proposal from David Byrne, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, to continue the suspension of imports into the EU of chicken products and pet birds from Asian countries affected by avian influenza. This concerns imports of fresh chicken meat and chicken products from Thailand and pet birds from Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Pakistan, China, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. It was agreed that the suspension be maintained for 6 months until 15 of August in keeping with OIE (International Organisation of Animal Health) guidelines. It will be kept under constant review with a view to amend it earlier if the situation allows for it. Avian influenza is a highly contagious poultry disease that can cause severe economic damage to the poultry industry and can be transmitted to humans. Although the risk of importing the virus in meat or meat products is probably very low the EU wants to make sure that any possible transmission is avoided.

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/food/animal/diseases/controlmeasures/avian_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/comm/food/animal/diseases/controlmeasures/avian_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/health/ph_threats/com/Influenza/avian_influenza_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/comm/health/ph_threats/com/Influenza/avian_influenza_en.htm

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