Dozens of countries have imposed total or partial bans on U.S. poultry and poultry imports since an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was discovered in December.
Each of the top 10 importers has introduced restrictions. Total bans have been imposed by China, South Korea and Angola, whose markets were valued at nearly $700 million last year.
More than 15.4 million meat-producing and egg-laying birds have been culled, and preliminary tests have identified likely cases in more than 5.5 million more birds. In the United States' largest outbreak in 1983 and 1984, 17 million birds were culled.
Two bird flu strains have been found in the United States this year. The H5N2 strain has been reported in Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin.
It has also been identified on farms in British Columbia and Ontario, Canada. The H5N8 strain has been identified in California and also in Idaho, according to the Agriculture Department, and
Canadian authorities confirmed the H5N1 strain was found in British Columbia, Canada.
Following are facts about the U.S. poultry market from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association and company filings. (Reuters)
Source: www.businessworld.ie
