BRUSSELS, Jan 11 (AFP) - The EU has scaled down a ban on the import of Bulgarian poultry and related products, imposed after the outbreak of a contagious virus in the south of the country, officials said Tuesday.
The ban was slapped on live poultry from all of Bulgaria last month, as well as hatching eggs, fresh poultry meat, game meat and linked products after the outbreak of Newcastle Disease in the district of Kardzhali.
But after further reports EU vets decided that the problem is confined to the district near the border with Greece and Turkey, and approved resumption of imports from the rest of the country.
"As there is no indication of the disease in the rest of the country, (EU veterinary expects) agreed on a proposal to limit the suspension of imports to the single district of Kardzhali," said the European Commission.
Newcastle disease is a contagious disease in poultry that causes major losses in the sector if spread but that has no impact on human health.
01/11/2005 16:07 GMT - AFP