**********************************************************
In view of a confirmed H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in Jiangxi Province, a spokesman for the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau (HWFB) announced tonight (December 15) that the Government has suspended the processing of applications for the importation of poultry and poultry meat from the province with immediate effect.
"The HWFB received notification from the Ministry of Agriculture tonight, of an H5N1 avian influenza outbreak among ducks in Suichuan City, Jiangxi.
"There were no imports of live poultry or poultry meat from Jiangxi, but should there be any such applications, they would not be processed for the time being to ensure food safety.
"We will monitor the development of the situation in the coming weeks," the spokesman said.
Ends/Thursday, December 15, 2005
Issued at HKT 20:16
NNNN
