Brussels, 16/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health decided last Friday to authorise Dutch live poultry and egg exports, with the exception of central and southern parts of the country, which were the worst hit by the avian influenza epidemic (Flevoland, Gelderland, Limburg, Noord-Brabant and Utrecht). The Dutch authorities registered 225 cases of influenza and slaughtered 28 million birds, 25% of national production. Furthermore, in line with decisions taken by European veterinary surgeons at the end of May (EUROPE of 31 May 2003, p.17), the ban on exporting birds and eggs in the provinces of Antwerp and Limburg in Belgium expired on 11 June (the only restrictions apply in the surveillance zones of 10km around the outbreaks). For Germany, the restrictions apply only to part of North Rhine-Westphalia, and are due to expire on 24 June.