Source: Tom Johnston, Meatingplace.com, March 23

Russia and Japan have banned all imports of poultry produced in North Carolina on concerns of low-pathogenic avian influenza, according to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Initial tests in a single flock of turkeys in North Carolina were positive for low-pathogenic avian influenza, APHIS spokeswoman Lyndsay Cole told Meatingplace. However, further testing has not been able to isolate the virus.

“Because there are no clinical signs of the disease, there’s currently no reason to believe the virus is present,” Cole said.

International trade agreements with Japan and Russia, however, call for the disclosure of initial test results, she noted.

“At this point we’re just continuing to work with the state and industry to make sure we clarify the situation, figure out what happened and resolve any trade issues,” Cole said.

Russia banned poultry meat produced in North Carolina on or after March 16. Japan's ban applies to any poultry meat produced in that state regardless of slaughter dates.

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