August 12, 2004

 

 

Switzerland Bans South African Poultry Imports
 

Swiss authorities said on Wednesday that they have suspended all imports of poultry from South Africa indefinitely. This move follows the outbreak of bird flu in ostrich farms in the Eastern Cape.

 

The ban, imposed by Switzerland on Tuesday, applies to all South African live poultry, poultry meat and feathers processed after August 1, a spokesperson for the Swiss Federal Veterinary Office said.

 

"It's mainly for veterinary reasons, this is by far the biggest risk," spokesperson Franz Geiser said.

 

"We will see how the situation evolves," he added.

 

The Swiss ban does not apply to products that have been cooked or heat-treated, Geiser said.

 

South Africa had already banned all exports of poultry and poultry products last Friday.

 

Switzerland is one of South Africa's largest export markets for poultry.

 

Meanwhile, testing of ostriches for avian flu on Wednesday moved outside the quarantine area in the Eastern Cape where it was first detected.

 

The quarantine area is a 30km radius from the farms Voorspoed and Endor near Somerset East.

 

Ostriches on a farm outside Cookhouse were being tested by disease control officials from the Department of Agriculture from about 1.30pm on Wednesday.

 

Blood samples and saliva swabs were taken from the birds to determine if they have avian flu.

 

About 30,000 ostriches are expected to be culled following an outbreak of avian flu in the area.