SURINAME BANS IMPORT OF US CHICKEN

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000128 SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR: MARK SEIBEL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD EAGR NS SUBJECT: SURINAME BANS IMPORT OF US CHICKEN ON FEBRUARY 12, DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND HEALTH IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, AND FISHERIES EDMUND ROZENBLAD ANNOUNCED IN THE DAILY SURINAME TIMES THAT SURINAME HAS BANNED THE IMPORT OF US CHICKEN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. ROZENBLAD INFORMED THE EMBASSY THAT THE BAN IS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE AVIAN FLU OUTBREAK IN DELAWARE COULD EXPAND TO SOUTHERN STATES LIKE GEORGIA OR FLORIDA, WHICH PRODUCE MOST OF THE CHICKEN THAT SURINAME IMPORTS. ROZENBLAD FURTHER STATED THAT CHICKEN IMPORTERS ALREADY HAVE BEEN INFORMED ABOUT THE BAN. SHIPMENTS FROM THE US THAT ARE ALREADY ON THEIR WAY WILL BE ACCEPTED SINCE THESE CONTAINERS WERE SHIPPED BEFORE THE OUTBREAK OF THE AVIAN FLU. BARNES NNNN 2004PARAMA00128 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED v1.6.3