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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (October 13) that, in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of low-pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza, it has banned the import of poultry meat and products, including poultry eggs, from North Rhine-Westphalia State, Germany, with immediate effect for the protection of Hong Kong's public health.
A CFS spokesman said about 8 000 tonnes of frozen poultry meat were imported into Hong Kong 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 outbreaks in the country. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.
Ends/Monday, October 13, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:02
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