HK bans import of poultry meat and products from region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (May 3) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H7N7 avian influenza in the region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy, it has banned the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the region with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

A CFS spokesman said that Hong Kong imported about 650 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 24 000 poultry eggs from Italy in the first three months of this year.

"The CFS has contacted the Italian authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE 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, May 3, 2016