Vogelgriep: Commissie stelt importverbod in voor vogels en pluimvee uit Roemenië en Turkije (en)

The Commission is taking further action following the confirmation last night of the presence of avian influenza H5 virus in Romania and the results from the EU laboratory this morning indicating that the avian influenza virus in Turkey is H5N1 closely related to a virus detected in a wild bird in central  Asia a few months ago.  The measures will be discussed at an emergency meeting of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health in Brussels this afternoon.

The Commission is adopting today a decision to ban imports of live birds, poultry meat and other poultry products from Romania following new tests by EU experts, which identified the presence of Avian Influenza.  Imports of live birds and feathers from Turkey have been banned since Monday following the finding of Avian Influenza there.

Further actions decided by EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou i are:

A Commission framework decision on preventive measures and increased bio-security (hygiene), which will be presented at today's Committee meeting.  Member States will take appropriate measures to reduce the risk of transmission of avian influenza. This should include strengthening bio-security in poultry farms across the EU and in particular in high-risk areas. 

An emergency meeting of experts on avian influenza and migratory birds will be held tomorrow. The purpose of the meeting is to evaluate the risk that migratory birds may pose for the EU. The experts' group will then issue recommendations on the potential risk for humans in contact with such birds.

The offer of EU and Member State experts to assist Romania, Turkey and other countries which are concerned about suspected cases of avian influenza.

Commission and ECDC advice on precautions to be taken by people travelling to Romania and Turkey and other countries where avian influenza has been found.

For further information: