August 6, 2004

Japan Bans Imports Of Malaysian-Grown Poultry Due To Bird Flu

Japan said Thursday it has banned imports of Malaysian-grown poultry to prevent avian influenza from infecting Japanese poultry farms.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, it took the action in response to a Singaporean government announcement that a live duck imported from Malaysia has been detected with bird flu.

The Japanese ministry said it will determine whether it will keep the ban in place after gathering information from Malaysia.

Japan imported 3,300 tons of Malaysian-produced poultry meat in 2003. The quantity is equivalent to 0.5 percent of Japan's entire poultry imports.