March 22, 2004

Singapore Bans Dutch Poultry Imports Following Bird Flu Outbreak
 

Singapore has suspended all imports of poultry and birds from the Netherlands following the discovery of bird flu there.

"We have received a report that there is a positive diagnosis of avian influenza in the Netherlands," the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said in a statement.

"To prevent the disease from entering Singapore, AVA is taking precautionary measures to temporarily suspend the imports of all poultry and birds from the Netherlands with immediate effect. Singapore is free from bird flu," it said.

The island imported 447 tons of chicken meat from the Netherlands in 2003, which was valued at S$850,550 ($503,200) and constituted 0.26 percent of total poultry consumption, AVA said. It imported 2,066 live ornamental birds from the Netherlands last year valued at S$103,390, it said. ($1=1.690 Singapore Dollar)