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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) announced today (December 31) that processing of applications for importing poultry and poultry products (including eggs) from South Korea was suspended with immediate effect until further notice.
"The decision was taken following confirmation of an outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in Iksan city, Cholla-Bukdo province and in Cheonan city, Chungcheong-Namdo province, South Korea," a CFS spokesman said.
"We are seeking further information about the case from the relevant authorities. We are also closely monitoring the situation in the country," the spokesman added.
Hong Kong imported about 710 tonnes of frozen poultry and 5.9 million of poultry eggs from South Korea from January to October this year.
Ends/Friday, December 31, 2010
Issued at HKT 20:47
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