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In view of a confirmed H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in Sichuan Province, a spokesman for the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau (HWFB) announced today (January 4) that the Government had 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 last night, of an H5N1 avian influenza outbreak among ducks in Dazhu City, Sichuan," the spokesman said.
"There were no imports of live poultry or poultry meat from Sichuan, but should there be any such applications, they will not be processed for the time being to ensure food safety.
"We will closely monitor the development of the situation," the spokesman said.
Ends/Wednesday, January 4, 2006
Issued at HKT 10:20
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