HK Bans Poultry Meat Imports From Areas in France, Canada, Spain

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has announced via a press release that imported poultry meats and products, including eggs, from areas in France, Canada and Spain are to be suspended with immediate effect. The suspension comes shortly after the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) noted outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Ille-et-Vilaine in France, County of Athabasca No.12 in Canada, and Badajoz Province in Spain.

According to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong has imported approximately 540 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and 25,000 poultry eggs from France in the first six months of this year alone. In the same period, Hong Kong has imported approximately 60 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Canada, and around 80 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and 32,000 poultry eggs from Spain.

A CFS spokesperson said French, Canadian, and Spanish authorities have been contacted and will continue to monitor information issued by the OIE and other relevant authorities on avian influenza outbreaks. “Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation” said the spokesperson.