July 28, 2004

Russia Bans Poultry Imports From Sweden, Finland

Russia banned imports of most poultry products from Sweden and Finland after poultry-killing Exotic Newcastle disease was discovered in those countries.

The federal veterinary service said the ban applied to live birds, feed, eggs and poultry meats that have not undergone heat treatment.

Exotic Newcastle disease is not considered dangerous to humans, but the disease is highly infectious for poultry and could pose a threat to Russian poultry industry.

The veterinary service said it would lift the ban once Sweden and Finland have guaranteed the safety of poultry exports.

Swedish agriculture officials said more than 70,000 birds were destroyed this month at the two commercial farms where the disease was detected.

Russia earlier this year banned poultry imports from 11 Asian nations, the Netherlands and three U.S. states because of outbreaks of avian influenza, an extremely infectious and fatal poultry disease that can also spread from birds to people.