Applications for importing Republic of Korea poultry suspended

The Centre for Food Safety announced today (November 27) that the processing of applications for importing poultry and poultry products from the Republic of Korea would be suspended with immediate effect.

"The decision was taken following confirmation of an outbreak of avian influenza H5N1 in a poultry farm there," a spokesman for the Centre said.

"We will seek further information about the case from the relevant authorities," he said.

Hong Kong imported some 900 tonnes of frozen poultry meat/offal from the Republic of Korea from January to August this year.

Ends/Monday, November 27, 2006