August 24, 2004

EU Extends Import Ban To Malaysia After Bird Flu Outbreak

The European Union has banned imports of pet birds and feathers from Malaysia after an outbreak of a lethal form of bird flu in the country, the European Commission said.

The EU had slapped a ban on poultry and bird products from other Asian countries earlier this year after outbreaks of avian influenza.

"Avian influenza is a highly contagious poultry disease that can cause severe economic damage to the poultry industry, and may even be transmitted to humans," said EU health and consumer protection commissioner David Byrne.

"We can take no risks when it comes to the import of products or birds that might introduce this virus into the EU," he added.

Bird flu was confirmed early this year in several Asian countries, triggering an EU ban on the import of live poultry, ostriches, other live birds (including pets), hatching eggs and affected poultry products.

"The ban means that exports of feathers and birds from Malaysia to the EU will be forbidden until the situation is under control," said the Commission, the EU's executive arm, in a statement.