China News Service, December 25. According to the website of the General Administration of Customs, the General Administration of Customs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued an announcement on the 24th that it is prohibited to import poultry and related products directly or indirectly from Ireland.

  The announcement stated that recently, Irish officials notified the World Organisation for Animal Health about the occurrence of H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry in this country.

In order to protect the safety of my country's animal husbandry and prevent the spread of the epidemic, in accordance with the "Customs Law of the People's Republic of China", "The Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine Law of the People's Republic of China" and other relevant laws and regulations, the announcement is as follows:

  1. It is forbidden to import poultry and related products directly or indirectly from Ireland (derived from unprocessed poultry or products that may still transmit disease despite being processed).

  2. It is prohibited to send or bring poultry and products from Ireland into the country.

Once found, they will be returned or destroyed.

  3. If poultry and products from Ireland are found on entering ships, aircrafts and other means of transport, they shall be sealed for storage, and they shall not be unsealed and used during their stay or operation in my country without customs permission.

The waste and swill shall be treated in a harmless manner under the supervision of the customs and shall not be discarded without authorization.

  4. All illegally imported poultry and their products from Ireland intercepted by border defense departments shall be destroyed under the supervision of the customs.

  5. Anyone who violates the above regulations shall be dealt with by the customs in accordance with the "Customs Law of the People's Republic of China", the "Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine Law of the People's Republic of China" and the relevant provisions of its implementing regulations.

  6. All customs, animal disease prevention and control agencies at all levels, and animal health supervision agencies shall respectively comply with the relevant provisions of the Customs Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine Law of the People’s Republic of China, and the Animal Epidemic Prevention Law of the People’s Republic of China. Cooperate closely to do a good job in quarantine, epidemic prevention and supervision.

  The announcement will be implemented from the date of release.