06 December 2016, Tuesday, 16:39 117

Food Safety Service: EU Suspends Imports Of Poultry Meat From Ukraine Over Avian Influenza Cases In Kherson Region

The State Food Safety and Consumer Protection Service of Ukraine says the European Union has suspended imports of poultry meat from Ukraine over some cases of avian influenza in Kherson region.

The State Food Safety and Consumer Protection Service announced this in a statement, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

"In connection with registration of high-path avian influenza in Kherson region and in compliance with international commitments and transparency of Ukraine before its international trade partners, the State has informed major trade partners, including the European Commission, about measures taken prevent further spread of the disease," reads the statement.

Ukraine has applied to major trade partners to prevent suspension of exports of poultry products.

"To date, the State Food Safety and Consumer Protection Service has received an official notification about ban on export: table eggs to Hong Kong only from Kherson region; poultry meat and subproducts from the entire territory of Ukraine to the European Union," reads the statement.

The Ukrainian authorities have also sent to the European Union detailed information about measures taken by Ukraine to tackle the disease and to introduce the principle of regionalization of the disease in order to resume exports from areas not hit by avian influenza.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, the State Food Safety and Consumer Protection Service of Ukraine late in November registered avian influenza in some households in Kherson region.

Ukraine imposed a ban on the importation of poultry meat and byproducts from Bulgaria, Hungary, and Austria on November 15 because of outbreaks of the Newcastle disease and avian influenza in these countries.