The Hong Kong government has banned the import of Canadian poultry products from the Fraser Valley following outbreaks of avian flu on two farms in the region.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed December 2 the presence of H5 avian influenza on a turkey farm in Abbotsford and a broiler breeder farm in Chilliwack.
Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety (CFS) announced December 3 it had been in contact with Canadian authorities when it decided to ban poultry products.
The city imported 7,000 tonnes of poultry meat and 170,000 eggs from Canada between January and October of this year, according to the CFS.
“All birds on the infected premises will be humanely euthanized and disposed of, in accordance with provincial environmental regulations and internationally accepted disease control guidelines,” the CFIA said in a statement.
The avian flu last hit B.C. in 2009, when an outbreak was detected in the Fraser Valley.
