March 24, 2005

Poultry exports to Japan restarted by South Korea

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said on Thursday that South Korea has resumed the exports of chicken and other poultry to Japan.

After the Seoul and Tokyo agreement last month, the measures came which out were that if there is no outbreak of bird influenza within 90 days of the last one, Japan would lift its import ban.

In December, when there was a discovery of the low-pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza virus at a duck farm in Gwangju, which is 329 kilometers southwest of Seoul, Japan halted quarantine inspection of all poultry imported from South Korea.

Timely data is provided to Japan from government veterinary official regarding the avian influenza outbreaks, especially in February, according to ministry officials.

Tokyo had decided to allow imports since there were no further problems after the 90 days window period.

As avian influenza occurs during winter month, there is less likelihood of another outbreak as spring approaches.

The resumption of exports is expected to ease the past few months' hardship encountered by South Korean exporters, who export chicken, duck and other poultry

There was a loss of 500 tonnes of poultry export to Japan amounting to 23.14 Billion USD last year because of bird influenza.