December 4, 2006

EU extends bird flu ban on live bird imports
 

The European Union last week extended for three months a ban on live bird imports  imposed a year ago to prevent the spread of bird flu.

The EU said it needed more time to debate quarantine rules and other protective measures before relaxing the ban.

Also, , it was necessary to keep the current import ban in place, given the global bird flu situation. Bird flu is still endemic in Indonesia and just broke out in South Korea after a few months absence. 

EU's extension meant the ban would stay in place until at least the end of March, the statement added.