October 6, 2004

Korea Declared Free From Bird Flu
 

While many countries in Asia are struggling with outbreaks of bird flu, Korea has declared that it is free from the deadly virus. And it is working for the early lifting of import bans on Korean poultry and eggs.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said Seoul informed the World Organization for Animal Health or OIE late last month that it is free from avian influenza. Under OIE rules, countries can claim to be free from bird flu six months after the occurrence of the last outbreak.

Hong Kong is one of the biggest importers of Korean chicken and has already removed an import ban. Seoul is currently engaged in talks with 20 countries, including the U.S. and Japan, to regain access to their poultry markets.