Tyson Bird Flu Find Curbs Poultry Exports to Russia, Japan

SAN FRANCISCO — Japan has temporarily stopped importing chicken from Arkansas, while the United States has suspended poultry exports to Russia from Arkansas for 90 days, a Tyson Foods Inc. executive said Wednesday.

The measures come after a routine test revealed that 15,000 Tyson chickens in Arkansas showed signs of low-pathogenic avian influenza, said Noel White, senior vice president for Tyson Fresh Meats, at an investment conference in New York, which was Web cast.

The strain, low-pathogenic H7N3, poses no danger to humans, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. See full story.

The United States has bilateral agreements with Russia and Japan to report any finding of avian influenza strains H5 or H7, said Rachel Iadicicco, spokeswoman for U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Upon notification of a find, the United States automatically suspends the state's exports to Russia, and Japan voluntarily decided to implement its ban, Iadicicco said.

"We're working to get that [Japanese] ban lifted," Iadicicco said.

The bans cover all poultry from Arkansas, not just Tyson chickens, she said.

Tyson Foods spokesman Gary Mickelson said the company has put in place increased sickness surveillance since the incident.

Read the full MarketWatch story here.