USDA bars imports

The USDA barred imports of all live birds from Saskatchewan yesterday after broilers tested positive for the North American strain of H7N3 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus. This is not the same highly pathogenic Avian Influenza H5NI virus that has spread through birds in Asia, Europe and Africa.

In accordance with an agreement between the United States and Canada, USDA is barring imports of all live birds, including chickens, turkeys and others, along with unprocessed avian products from the entire province of Saskatchewan.

For more information, see the USDA statement at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2007/09/ai_canada_statement.shtml.