The import suspension was announced after Russia reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5 bird flu to the OIE earlier this week. The suspension includes poultry meat, eggs and other poultry products.

A Centre for Food Safety (CFS) spokesman said that Hong Kong has currently established a protocol with Russia for the import of poultry meat but not for poultry eggs. According to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 490 kilograms of frozen poultry meat from Russia in the first six months of this year.

"The CFS has contacted the Russian authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.