May 10, 2006

Romania to resume poultry exports to EU

Romania has gained EU approval to resume its poultry exports and renewed exports could take place within two weeks, president of the National Sanitary and Veterinary Authority, Ion Agafitei, announced yesterday (May 9).

Romanian poultry imports were banned in October 2005, after bird flu first broke out in the country. Later, the EU allowed the resumption of imports from 16 unaffected counties.

Before the ban, Romania had exported approximately 2,500 tonnes of poultry meat in the first 10 months of 2005, according to data from the Romanian Poultry Breeders Association (UCPR).

However, resuming former export levels may prove difficult as many local producers have abandoned the market, said the president of Avicola Bacau, a chief exporter. UCPR estimates the industry lost RON $48.5 million (US$17.9 million) to bird flu.