August 31, 2006

US hopes to resume exports of poultry to South Korea soon

US producers are hoping to resume shipments to South Korea after the country halted US poultry after two swans in Michigan were tested with avian flu in mid August.

Since tests by the National Veterinary Service Laboratories confirmed the strain found in the two birds is a low pathogenic form and poses no threat to human health, the US expects poultry shipments to South Korea to resume within the next few days, said Kristin Scuderi, a spokeswoman for the USDA.

South Korea received 38,382 tonnes of broiler parts in the first six months of this year, which meant they were in the top ten countries importing US poultry,  said Richard Lobb, National Chicken Council spokesman.

Tyson Foods said the company had some chicken orders from South Korea that were delayed because of the ban.