The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 24) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza in Respublika Kalmykiya of Russia, it has banned the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the country with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said since Hong Kong has not established any protocol with Russia for imports of poultry meat and eggs, there is no import of such commodities from Russia.

     "The CFS has contacted the Russian 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/Thursday, November 24, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:20

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