EU eases ban on American poultry imports
Mar 31, 2004 12:37 PM, from staff and wire reports
The European Union has lifted a ban on most poultry imports from the United States and Canada but extended restrictions on Texas and parts of British Columbia because of continued concerns over avian influenza (bird flu), according to a Houston Chronicle newspaper report.
In February, the 15-nation EU joined other importers in banning fresh meat, meat products, live birds, and eggs from the United States after virulent bird flu was detected in south central Texas.
The same restrictions were placed on Canada in early March after another outbreak was reported in British Columbia.
Because of actions taken by both nations to control the spread of bird flu, an EU committee decided to change the restrictions to directly affected areas.
Restrictions on Texas imports will stay in place until August 23 and in British Columbia until October 1, though both cases may be reviewed before those dates.
