March 17, 2004

Russia Bans Poultry Imports From Netherlands On Bird Flu

Russia banned poultry imports from the Netherlands Wednesday following the discovery of two suspected cases of bird flu.

Russia's Agriculture Ministry said the ban, imposed by the Veterinary Service of Russia, prohibits the import of live chickens, eggs, poultry meat and any poultry feed or equipment that hasn't undergone thermal treatment.

The ban was imposed immediately after Dutch officials revealed possible avian influenza outbreaks on two farms in the Netherlands - one last Friday and the other Monday.

Russia had earlier imposed similar bans on 11 Asian nations and three U.S. states where avian flu has struck.

The flu has ravaged flocks in some parts of Asia and spread to humans in Thailand and Vietnam, killing 23 people and prompting the culling of about 100 million chickens across the region.

Russian officials said the ban on poultry imports from the Netherlands would remain in place until further notice. Japan also banned poultry imports from the Netherlands Wednesday.