February 15, 2007

China bans poultry imports from UK after bird flu outbreak

China has banned poultry imports from the UK due to the outbreak of bird flu there, the Ministry of Agriculture said Wednesday (Feb 14).

Poultry and poultry products imported directly or indirectly from the UK is forbidden, said the ministry in a joint statement with General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

Poultry imports from the UK since Jan 13 must be sent back or destroyed, and those imported before Jan 13 need to be tested for bird flu before they enter the country, it said.

The ban is effective immediately, it said.