Hong Kong bans import of poultry meat and products from Lancashire County, UK

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (July 14) that in view of a notification from the UK authorities about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H7N7 avian influenza in Lancashire County, the UK, it has banned the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area concerned with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

A CFS spokesman said about 18 000 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 7.2 million poultry eggs were imported into Hong Kong from the UK last year.

"The CFS has contacted the UK authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the World Organisation for Animal Health on avian influenza outbreaks in the country. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.

Ends/Tuesday, July 14, 2015