RIYADH, 12 March 2003 — Saudi Arabia has slapped a temporary ban on the import of chicken products from the European Union after the discovery of suspected cases of bird flu in Europe, a newspaper reported yesterday.
The Al-Watan daily said the Commerce Ministry has sent its decision to the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry and quality control laboratories instructing them to prevent the entry of any European chicken products.
Saudi Arabia imports some 120,000 tons of chicken products annually from the EU valued at $133 million.
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a viral disease that is highly contagious to chickens, turkeys, ducks and other birds but not dangerous for humans.
