March 20, 2006

EU bans Israeli poultry imports after bird flu outbreak

The European Commission said Friday (March 17) that it will ban imports of poultry from Israel after Israeli authorities confirmed an outbreak of the H5N1 bird flu virus in the Ha Darom region.

Israeli veterinarians on Saturday culled thousands of turkeys suspected of having the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu.

"Heat-treated poultry products from Israel will still be allowed to be imported, as will meat and meat products from poultry slaughtered before 15 February 2006," the Commission said.

A special European Union health committee will review the Israel ban when it meets next Tuesday.

H5N1 was found in Egypt last week and authorities believe the birds might have entered Israel from there.

The H5N1 strain has killed or forced the slaughter of tens of millions of chickens and ducks across Asia since 2003, and recently spread to Europe, Africa and the Middle East.