January 26, 2004

Singapore Bans Thai Chicken Imports On Bird-Flu Fears

Singapore said Friday it was banning imports of all chicken products from Thailand, following an outbreak of bird flu virus that has sickened at least two people and an unknown number of poultry.

The ban was to take effect immediately, said Goh Shih-Yong, a spokesman for the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority. He didn't say how long it would be in place.

The city-state last week suspended the import of live chickens, day-old chicks, whole frozen poultry and poultry offal from Thailand following reports of an outbreak there of fowl cholera.

It extended the ban to imports of poultry cuts and parts on Friday following Thailand's confirmation of bird flu.

Poultry cuts and parts comprise nearly 99% of Singapore's chicken imports from Thailand, but Goh said the ban would have little effect on the city- state.

"The effects on the Singapore market will be minimal as Thailand supplies only a small quantity of our total consumption of chickens."

Most of Singapore's chicken comes from Brazil and Malaysia, he said, adding that the chicken currently on hand in Singapore is safe for consumption.

Singapore imported about 15,000 tons of chicken meat from Thailand worth $32 million in 2003.