February 1, 2012

Japan halts Australian poultry product imports after bird flu case

Japan has temporarily banned the imports of all Australian chicken meat and eggs, as well as relevant products, after a case of avian influenza on a farm in Victoria was reported.

Up to 25,000 ducks have been destroyed on two farms north of Melbourne after the low pathogenic form of the disease was found last Friday, January 27.

Now the Japanese government has responded by not allowing any Australian poultry products, including meat and eggs, nor egg derived products, like cake and ice cream.

The move is despite efforts by Australian authorities to reassure consumers all poultry products, even from affected farms, are safe to eat and "the risk to human health is negligible."

Australia's Department of Agriculture's Biosecurity division says "Australian exporters of locally processed foods containing small amounts of egg products should first contact their buyer and confirm import conditions for Japan prior to export."

In a statement, DAFF Biosecurity says it "will continue to work closely with Australian industries and relevant trading partners to ensure there is minimal disruption to trade."

The low pathogenic avian influenza is thought to have arrived at the duck farm, by a visiting wild waterfowl, and poultry vets say "this is not an unusual occurrence."