January 28, 2008

Japan lifts ban on Canada poultry imports
 

Japan has lifted a ban on Canada's poultry product imports after Canadian authorities said they had taken steps to stamp out H7N3 bird flu virus.

Japan's Ministry of Agriculture stated on Friday (January 25, 2008) that the ban would be lifted with immediate effect and that it has informed importers and others concerned.

Canadian veterinary officials on Thursday (January 24, 2008) said H7N3 was not the deadly strain that scientists fear could cause the next flu pandemic.

Japan had suspended Canada's poultry and poultry products imports on September 28, 2007 after the H7N3 bird flu was discovered on a Saskatchewan chicken farm.

When bird flu strains are detected abroad, Japan will ban imports to prevent local poultry from being infected.

In 2006, Japan imported 60,738 live chicks and 170 tonnes of poultry meat from Canada.

Only a small fraction of Canada's poultry production is from Saskatchewan.