Press Release: Avian Flu in Turkey: EU bans imports of live birds and certain poultry products

The Commission on 11 October 2005 adopted an EU ban on all imports of Turkish live birds and untreated feathers, following the confirmed presence of avian influenza (AI) virus in Turkey over the weekend, 8-9 October 2005. Imports of live poultry, eggs and fresh poultry meat from Turkey had not been allowed in the EU before that already, and therefore no ban was necessary for these products. Member States were required to implement the import ban immediately, and the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health was to review the decision on 12 October.