YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, NOYAN TAPAN. In connection with frequent outbreaks of bird flu in Rostov region (Russia), the import of live birds, poultry, eggs and egg powder has been temporarily banned from Russia into Armenia since December 13. The deputy head of the State Food and Veterinary Inspection of the RA Ministry of Agriculture Gevorg Tovmasian told NT correspondent that bird flu cases were detected in some Russian cities as long ago as in the summer, and the import of poultry from these cities into Armenia has been banned since September 10. The import of poultry into Armenia has been banned from another six countries (in addition to Russia): Poland, Bangladesh, China (Chingshu province), Saudi Arabia, Benin and Myanma. G. Tovmasian said that constant preventive measures against bird flu are being taken in Armenia. According to him, there is 24-hour control at the border check-points to prevent the import of poultry from the indicated countries. G. Tovmasian said that after cases of foot-and-mouth disease of neat cattle were registered in the UK, the import of meat products from this country has been banned since August 8.

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