Japan bans all poultry imports from Australia in wake of bird flu outbreak
Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has placed a ban on all poultry, egg and egg-product imports from Australia following the bird flu outbreak in Victoria earlier this week.
The outbreak of the Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI) virus was found on two free-range duck farms in the state of Victoria last week. Authorities gassed all 25,000 ducks on both farms this week.
Despite the Australian Chicken Meat Federation (ACMF) confirming that chicken meat was safe, Japan has decided to place an overarching ban on all poultry meats and produce.
Andreas Dubs, executive director of the ACMF, said that this was an over-reaction and out of proportion as the virus is very localised and low risk.
Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia and Hong Kong have also suspended imports of poultry but just from the state of Victoria, where the outbreak was found.
