Republic of South Africa poultry and ostrich meat imports suspended
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    The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department's Centre for Food Safety announced today (July 5) that the processing of applications for importing poultry meat and ostrich meat from the Republic of South Africa would be suspended with immediate effect.

     "The decision was made following confirmation of an outbreak of avian influenza H5 on an ostrich farm there," a spokesman for the centre said.

     "We are seeking further information from the relevant authorities concerning the case," he said.

     Hong Kong has imported some 9.5 tonnes of frozen ostrich meat from the Republic of South Africa since November last year.

Ends/Wednesday, July 5, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:20

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