The European Union (EU) on Friday imposed import restrictions on Israeli poultry and poultry products following confirmed outbreaks of H5N1 avian flu virus in the country.

Live poultry, poultry meat, eggs and poultry products from Israel would be denied entry into the 25-nation bloc, according to a press release of the EU executive European Commission.

The announcement followed confirmation from Israeli authorities of an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus in two turkey farms in the Ha Darom region, and two suspected outbreaks in other turkey farms.

Heat-treated poultry products from Israel will still be allowed to be imported, as will meat and meat products from poultry slaughtered before 15 February 2006, said the Commission.

The decision will be reviewed by the Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health when it meets next Thursday.

Source: Xinhua