Russia set to import less US poultry

Russia might take tougher action with regard to US poultry imports, in case the high pathogenesis of current bird-flu viruses is confirmed. This was disclosed to RIA Novosti here today at the national Agriculture Ministry.

We'll discuss protective measures more seriously, if this virus' high pathogenesis is confirmed, Ivan Rozhdestvensky, deputy director of the Agriculture Ministry's veterinary department, noted.

Russia has temporarily banned poultry imports from Delaware, Pennsylvania and Texas at this stage.

According to Rozhdestvensky, the US bird-flu situation is quite serious; this disease continues to spread. Meanwhile Russian veterinary services haven't yet received any official US confirmation to the effect that this was a highly pathogenic virus, Rozhdestvensky said in conclusion.