HK suspends poultry import from parts of Poland, the UK

This is due to reported outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza.

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has suspended the import of poultry meat and products, including eggs, from specific areas in Poland and the UK.

This decision follows notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in the Kutno District of Łódzkie Region in Poland, as well as in the Hambleton District of North Yorkshire County and East Lindsey District of Lincolnshire County in the UK.

The suspension takes immediate effect as a precautionary measure to protect public health in Hong Kong.

A CFS spokesman stated that, based on the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 6,600 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Poland, about 910 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat, and about 1.34 million poultry eggs from the UK last year.

"The CFS has contacted the Polish and British authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks," the spokesman said. “Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation.”