November 21, 2008
UK officially free of bird flu
The UK has been officially cleared as being free of bird flu, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said Thursday (November 20).
After a three-month period following the cleansing of infected premises, the UK is now clear of the bird flu, according to World Organization for Animal Health, or OIE, rules.
The UK has had three outbreaks of the disease during 2007-08, disrupting poultry exports outside of the European Union.
"Resumption of the UK's status as officially free from AI (bird flu) in line with OIE rules will greatly assist negotiations by Defra and industry partners to regain access to these markets," Defra said.
