HK, South Korea Suspend Imports from Japan

HONG KONG & SOUTH KOREA - Following last week's announcement confirming an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea have suspended imports of Japanese poultry and poultry products.

6 December 2010

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Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety (CFS) announced on 3 December that processing of applications for importing poultry and poultry products from Japan was suspended with immediate effect until further notice.

"The decision was taken following confirmation of an outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 in Yasugi city, Shimane Prefecture, Japan," a CFS spokesman said.

"We are seeking further information about the case from the relevant authorities. We are also closely monitoring the situation in the country," the spokesman added.

Hong Kong imported about 3,800 tonnes of frozen poultry from Japan from January to September this year.

Meanwhile, South Korea also imposed an import ban on Japanese poultry and poultry products on 3 December, reports Yonhap.

The country halted customs inspection of Japanese poultry late last month after a suspected case was reported in Japan's Shimane Prefecture, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said.