Hong Kong bans imports of poultry products from regions in Chile, Germany
CFS cited avian influenza and public health as the causeHong Kong's Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced the ban of poultry meat and products, including eggs, from regions in Chile and Germany today.
The ban affects Melipilla Province of Santiago Metropolitan Region in Chile and the District of Regensburg of the State of Bayern in Germany.
CFS cites the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza and its possible impact on public health as the cause of the ban.
A CFS spokesperson said Hong Kong has currently established a protocol with Chile for the import of poultry meat, but not for poultry eggs. According to the Census and Statistics Department, no poultry meat was imported into Hong Kong from Chile, and no poultry meat or eggs were imported into Hong Kong from Germany in the first three months of this year.
"The CFS has contacted the Chilean and German authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesperson said.