Belarus bans importation, transit of birds from U.S. over avian flu
MINSK. June 22 (Interfax) - Belarus has banned the importation or transit of birds from the U.S. over instances of birds infected with highly pathogenic avian flu.
"According to information from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), new instances of birds infected with highly pathogenic bird flu (H5) have been registered in the U.S. states of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Arkansas, California, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming," the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry's department of veterinary and food product supervision said in a statement.
In that connection, the department is introducing temporary restrictions on the importation to Belarus or transit of live birds, including circus and zoo animals, incubated eggs, feathers and down, meat and all types of product from birds, feed and feed additives from birds, and hunting trophies, as well as used equipment for housing, slaughtering and dressing birds.
