Pat Rabbitte
Question:65 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the recent ban on the importation from the Netherlands of live poultry and hatching eggs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8846/03]
Written Answers - Poultry Ban.
Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza were declared by the Netherlands on 2 March 2003. This disease has affected poultry flocks in an area in the central province of Gelderland in the Netherlands. Avian influenza is a highly contagious poultry disease that can pose a serious threat to the poultry industry. In view of the high mortality and the rapid spread of the infection, the Netherlands took immediate national action including banning all movements of live poultry and hatching eggs within the Netherlands and prohibiting their dispatch to other member states and third countries.
The European Commission after consultation with the Dutch authorities took safeguard measures to support the Dutch national measures and imposed a ban on the export from the Netherlands of live poultry and hatching eggs to other member states. These measures have been most recently prolonged until 10 April 2003.