Hong Kong bans poultry from two SA regions
Hong Kong will no longer be importing poultry from two municipalities in South Africa.
The ban is with immediate effect.
It comes amid the spread of avian flu in the country.
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) made the announcement today in view of a notification from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Senior Executive at South African Poultry Association, Dr Charlotte Nkuna, says the ban is standard procedure.
She says as soon as a country reports an outbreak, all countries will suspend trade with that nation.
Hong Kong has banned imports from the Pixley ka Seme Local Municipality in Mpumalanga and the Abaqulusi Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal amid the bird flu outbreak.
A CFS spokesperson says that no poultry meat or poultry eggs were imported from South Africa in the first six months of this year.
"The CFS has contacted the South African authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE on avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation."