Hong Kong suspends importation of chicken and eggs from Perth due to bird flu

Hong Kong has suspended the importation of chicken and eggs from the Perth and Kinross region due to an outbreak of avian influenza, also known as bird flu.

On Monday, the Scottish Government confirmed that the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza strain had been detected at a premises near Blairgowrie.

The World Organisation for Animal Health notified Hong Kong authorities on Thursday, resulting in the temporary halt of poultry and chicken egg imports from the region.

According to the country’s Census and Statistics Department, around 770 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and about 1.17 million poultry eggs were imported from the UK in the first nine months of 2025.

A Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety spokesman said: “The CFS has contacted the British authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak.

“Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation.”

A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone has been put in place in an effort to control the outbreak. Farmers living in the zones have been urged to inspect their stock for signs of infection and keep a record of those visiting the premises.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “This is the standard approach Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department takes for all cases of Avian Influenza in the UK.”