January 27, 2004

Poland Bans Poultry Imports From Thailand, Vietnam

Poland will introduce a ban on imports on live poultry, eggs and poultry meat and products from Thailand and Vietnam, where some 12 people are believed to have died from the spreading bird flu, the agriculture ministry said Monday.

The ban will go into effect on Monday and covers all domestic birds and ostriches, the ministry said in a statement.

The European Union - the biggest importer of Thai chicken after Japan - announced a ban on all Thai poultry products on Friday.