Brussels, 22/01/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Union could close its doors to imports of poultry from Thailand if it is officially confirmed by Bangkok that three people in Thailand have caught avian flu, it was announced by the European Commission on Thursday. The Commission could impose a ban if this seems necessary to ensure that avian flu does not reach Europe "but we are still a long way off", said the spokesperson for Commissioner Franz Fischler. In 2003, the EU was the second biggest importer of Thai chicken with 166,000 tonnes (30.1% of total exports from Bangkok), just behind Japan (183,000 tonnes). Tokyo has already pre-empted by deciding on Thursday to suspend imports of poultry from Thailand.