HK bans import of poultry products from North Jeolla, Korea

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (January 17) that in view of confirmation from the Korean authorities about an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza on a duck farm in North Jeolla Province of Korea, it has banned the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the province with immediate effect for the protection of Hong Kong's public and animal health.

A CFS spokesman said about 5 000 tonnes of frozen and chilled poultry meat, as well as about 4.9 million poultry eggs, were imported into Hong Kong from Korea between January and November last year.

"We will be in close liaison with the Korean authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the World Organisation for Animal Health on the avian influenza outbreaks in the country. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.

Ends/Friday, January 17, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:47