January 28, 2004

Czech Republic Bans Poultry Imports From Asian Nations Over Bird Flu

The Czech Republic and Hungary banned the import of poultry and other birds from some Asian countries to stop the spread of avian influenza, officials said Tuesday.

Czech authorities have banned imports from Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos, Pakistan and Thailand, said Josef Duben, a spokesman for the state veterinary authority.

Hungary also banned poultry products from Thailand. The other countries cited by the Czech Republic don't export poultry or other birds to Hungary.

Hungary imported 339 metric tons of poultry products from Thailand during the last four months of last year, said Dr. Jozsef Bea, head of the Agriculture Ministry's Department of Animal Health and Food Inspection.

Czech officials offered no specific figures on imports, but described them as low.

The bird flu has devastated poultry farms in Asia and killed eight people.