May 31, 2004

Mexico Bans Texas Poultry Over Bird Flu Threat
 

Mexico banned poultry imports from Texas on Friday after an outbreak of avian flu in Hopkins County, the agriculture ministry said.

The ban covers most poultry products and will remain in place until U.S. authorities provide information showing that the avian flu outbreak is not of the highly contagious strain of the disease, the ministry said.

It was the second time this year Mexico has blocked poultry imports from the United States after a bird flu scare in Texas.

An earlier outbreak of the highly contagious strain resulted in a ban on poultry products from the entire United States. It was later limited to certain states and some Texas counties.

Mexico is the fourth-largest importer of U.S. poultry, buying $93 million worth of chicken and related products from its northern neighbor in 2003.