Japan Bans Foie Gras Imports From France As Mass Bird Flu Vaccinations Commence

As bird flu cases spread in locations worldwide, Japan has ceased imports of French foie gras — once a popular delicacy in the country.

By Himari Semans

Japan has halted imports of foie gras from France as a mass vaccination campaign is underway to prevent the spread of deadly bird flu that has killed millions of birds worldwide.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) has suspended imports of raw foie gras from France as a mass vaccination campaign against bird flu rolled out last week.

Japan prohibits the imports of meat from vaccinated poultry for reasons involving the issue of distinguishing vaccinated birds from infected ones.

Although France makes up only a margin of overall poultry imports to Japan, over 30% (63 tons) of offal imports, which includes foie gras, are from France.

MAFF has yet to determine when it will lift the suspension on poultry from France.

Worldwide bird flu

The suspension came after the French government informed Tokyo on October 1st of its plans to vaccinate 64 million ducks in…