July 7, 2006

EU bans South African ostrich meat after bird flu outbreak

The European Commission Thursday (Jul 6) banned imports of live ostriches, ostrich meat and eggs from South Africa following an outbreak of bird flu in the country's Western Cape province.

The ban will apply until Oct 30 and will restrict the import of all live flightless birds --including ostriches and emus--and their eggs, meat and meat products from the districts of Mossel Bay and Riversdale.

Tests earlier this week confirmed the presence of the H5N2 strain of bird flu in the districts. The strain is regarded as less dangerous than H5N1, which has affected birds across Asia, Africa, Europe and continues to occasionally infect humans.

The European Union already bans the import of all other birds and poultry products from South Africa.

In a statement, the commission said South African authorities are working to control the outbreak and it expects updates in the meantime.