November 10, 2014
Hong Kong bans poultry imports from German state
Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety (CFS), which is under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, has banned the import of poultry meat and products, including eggs, from the State of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in Germany.
The Chinese territory said the decision was made following reports from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) of an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian flu virus in that part of Germany.
A CFS spokesman said Hong Kongimported about 8,000 tonnes of frozen chicken from Germany last year.
"We have contacted the German authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE on the avian influenza outbreak in the country. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.