China has imposed a ban on all imports of poultry, poultry products and eggs from the US, following detection of avian influenza in noncommercial flocks in the Pacific Northwest late last year, according to US Department of Agriculture.
A strain of H5N8 influenza was discovered in wild birds and in a so-called backyard flock of guinea fowl and chickens in Oregon, as well as in California and Washington.
The Reuters reported that all poultry and poultry related products imported from the US after 8 January will be returned or destroyed.
The ban will also have an impact on poultry breeding stock, which includes live chicks and hatching eggs.
USA Poultry & Egg Export Council spokesman Toby Moore was quoted by Reuters as saying that around $272m worth poultry products were imported from US to China since January through November last year.
US shipped close to 239.768 million lbs of poultry products including chicken feet or paws, and 55.923 million lbs of turkey during the period between January - November 2014.
Prior to China's action, Hong Kong suspended imports of certain U.S. poultry and poultry products in late December after two separate virus strains were identified in Whatcom County, Washington, according to the publication.
Image: China imposes ban on all imports of poultry, poultry products and eggs from the US. Photo: courtesy of luckypic / freedigitalphotos.net.
