EU to ban all imports of pet and exotic birds

THE EU is expected to ban all imports of pet and exotic birds today as another case of the lethal H5N1 bird flu virus was confirmed in Russia.

Health Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou will propose the temporary ban at a meeting of the Food Chain and Animal Health Committee.

This is likely to be accepted by the Agriculture Ministers meeting in Luxembourg and the ban is likely to come into force immediately.