HK suspends import of some South Korean poultry and products due to H5N1 outbreak

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced on Thursday that it has directed the industry to temporarily halt the import of poultry meat and products from some areas in South Korea to protect public health in Hong Kong.

This decision was made in response to the outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Gunsan-si, located in Jeollabuk-do, South Korea.

According to data from the Census and Statistics Department, last year Hong Kong imported approximately 80 tons of fresh and refrigerated poultry meat and over 20 million poultry eggs from South Korea.

Following the outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza, the authorities have been in contact with South Korean officials to monitor the situation and take appropriate actions based on the developments of the outbreak.