HK halts poultry imports from parts of Germany, US over bird flu

Over 79,000 tonnes of US poultry were imported last year.

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has suspended imports of poultry meat, products, and eggs from parts of Germany and the United States due to H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks.

The decision comes in response to notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) regarding outbreaks in Wittenberg, Sachsen-Anhalt (Germany), and Mercer County and Hudson County in New Jersey (United States). Additionally, imports from Bergen County (New Jersey), as well as New York County and Richmond County (New York), which are adjacent to Hudson County, have also been halted to safeguard public health in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong imported about 810 tonnes of frozen poultry from Germany last year, and from the US, around 79,630 tonnes of poultry meat and 19.6 million eggs.

CFS said it is in contact with authorities in both countries and will monitor updates from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) to assess further action.