SEOUL, SAT:
Following reports of a bird flu outbreak, South Korea said Friday it has halted the import of chicks from Germany.
The halt on quarantine inspections follows reports indicating a H5N1 virulent strain outbreak in the European country, according to the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
“The measures are temporary and implemented as a precaution, but it will be upgraded to an outright ban if it is confirmed to be avian influenza,” Yonhap news agency quoted a government official as saying.
South Korea currently only permits the import of chicks, but prohibits grown chickens and ducks from being brought into the country.
The ministry took fire for failing to contain an outbreak earlier in the year that is estimated to have caused damages exceeding 250 billion won (US$190 million).
It began implementing year-round monitoring of local poultry farms, bird markets and migratory birds following the incident.
