HK bans import of poultry and poultry products from Province of Friesland, Netherlands

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (June 13) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of low pathogenic H7N9 avian influenza in the Province of Friesland in the Netherlands, it has banned the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the province concerned with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

A CFS spokesman said about 3 000 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and 1.76 million poultry eggs from the Netherlands were imported into Hong Kong in the first four months of this year.

"The CFS has contacted the Dutch 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/Monday, June 13, 2016