March 4, 2004

EU Bans US Poultry Imports On Bird Flu

European Union veterinary experts confirmed a ban Wednesday on poultry imports from the U.S. introduced last week because of a bird flu outbreak in Texas.

"The current disease situation does not allow a reduction in the protection measures," the E.U. said in a statement after a meeting of animal health experts.

The veterinary panel is due to review the ban on imports of live poultry, eggs and pet birds again March 22, and could decide to lift it the following day.

The 15-nation E.U. joined several other importers in imposing restrictions on U.S. poultry following the outbreak last month in south-central Texas.

Health officials say the avian influenza found there is dangerous, but was not the same strain that has killed at least 22 people in Asia.

The E.U. said last week about a quarter of its imported eggs come from the U.S., worth some $24 million in trade annually. The E.U. also imports $3 million worth of day-old chicks, or around 800,000 a year, most of which are turkeys.

U.S. chicken and turkey meats are not imported into the E.U. due to differences in vaccination policies.

The E.U. has also banned poultry imports from several Asian nations.