Outbreak of 'Avian Influenza' at Japanese Laying Hen Farm... Import Ban on Japanese Chicken, Duck, and Eggs

On October 25th, a disinfection vehicle was conducting avian influenza (AI) prevention measures on the roadside in front of a livestock farm in Cheonan, Chungnam. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Hana Na] The South Korean government has banned the import of Japanese chicken and eggs after a highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) outbreak occurred at a laying hen farm in Japan.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 7th that it will prohibit the import of Japanese poultry (chickens, ducks, birds, etc.) and edible eggs. Previously, the Japanese government had reported the occurrence of highly pathogenic AI at a laying hen farm.

Specifically, the import ban applies to △ live poultry (including pet birds and wild birds) △ day-old chicks △ hatching eggs and edible eggs.

Among these, no Japanese poultry or edible eggs have been imported into South Korea this year.

On the 5th, a highly pathogenic AI (H5N8 strain) outbreak occurred at a laying hen farm in Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture, Shikoku region, and Japan is currently culling 330,000 chickens raised at this poultry farm. This is the first confirmation of highly pathogenic AI in Japan since January 2018 in Kagawa Prefecture.

Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, highly pathogenic AI has also recently been confirmed in countries such as the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The ministry stated that it will conduct detailed AI virus inspections on all imported live poultry and birds, and strengthen rapid collection and analysis of overseas livestock disease outbreak information.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.