October 8, 2004

South Korea Set To Resume Poultry Exports

South Korea will resume exports of poultry to the United States, Japan and various countries after announcing its freedom from bird flu, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Hong Kong, one of the biggest importers of Korean chicken, has already removed an import ban. And with the re-emergence of the bird flu virus in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, Korea is geared up to fill the void left by these nations.

Korea used to be a major feed buyer and poultry exporter before the restrictions were imposed.

The ministry said the report of South Korea being virus free for a consecutive eight months has already been submitted to the World Organization for Animal Health, or OIE, in Paris. Under OIE rules, countries can claim to be free from bird flu six months after the occurrence of the last outbreak.

"As some Asian countries are still dealing with bird flu, we've decided not to hold a celebratory event. We will keep doing our best to prevent its recurrence," said Kim Chang-seob, chief of the livestock quarantine section at the ministry.

South Korea is currently holding talks with 20 countries, including the United States and Japan, in a bid to resume poultry exports.