Brussels, 17/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - Late afternoon Wednesday, the European Commission adopted Community measures to prevent the spread of avian influenza in Belgium. The Commission's decision, which applies until 25 April, strengthens the national measures swiftly taken by Belgium after the discovery, on Tuesday, of a suspected outbreak of the epizootic in the Belgian province of Limburg (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.12). The Commission's decision specifies that no live poultry, hatching eggs and fresh, unprocessed poultry manure or litter may be dispatched from Belgium to other Member States or third countries. They may also not be transported within Belgium. Belgian veterinary authorities may, however, authorise certain movements of hatching eggs, day-old chicks, ready-to-lay pullets and poultry for immediate slaughter within Belgium. Strict rules will also apply for the collection, storage and transport of table eggs. Bio-security and hygiene measures, including cleaning and disinfection procedures at all levels of poultry and egg production should be reinforced by Belgium to prevent the further spread of the disease. The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health will take stock of the situation at its meeting on 23 April.